Amphibians of Wałbrzych

Abstract

In the city of Walbrzych 67 water bodies (about 95% of all Walbrzych ponds) were investi-gated. Among them, 58 water bodies (86.57%) are of anthropogenic origin. In the studied area 9 amphibian species were recorded: Rana temporaria (present in 44.78% of studied water bodies), Bufo bufo (44.78%), Triturus vulgaris (17.91%), Trirutus alpestris (16.62%), water frogs of the Rana esculenta complex (Rana lessonae and Rana kl. esculenta, 10.45% altogether), Bufo viridis (10.45%), Bufo calamita (4.48%) and Triturus cristatus (4.48%). Amphibians were present in 48 ponds (71.64% of studied water bodies). Maximum number of species (six) was recorded in only 1 water body; minimum number of species (1) was recorded in 19 ponds. Surprisingly, the maximum number of species occurred in the pond located within dense urban area. One bank of this pond was a vertical brick wall and there is not much vegetation in the pond. In industrial areas of Walbrzych presence of only 5 amphibian species was noted, however on 7 sites there were no amphibians atall. Similar low number of amphibian species (five) was also noted in mini-ponds in the allotments.