The Italian batrachofauna and its conservation status: a statistical assessment

Abstract

The status of the Italian autochtonous batrachofauna has been analysed taking into consideration a set of 13 variables, ranging from natural history traits (e.g. type of reproduction, number of eggs, frequented habitat), to distribution and areal fragmentation, taxonomic uniqueness and insularity. Each variable was categorized into four ranks (0–3) of increasing risk for survival. Urodeles and anurans were treated separately for both univariate and multivariate analyses. The results confirm a general sensitivity of urodeles, although in many cases newts and salamanders may react more promptly to habitat alteration and human disturbance. On the other hand, the anurans, except for three species that are widely distributed and largely euryecious ( Bufo bufo, Rana temporaria, R. “esculenta”), appear more sensitive than urodeles for a series of factors. Some anurans (such as Pelobates fuscus insubricus and R. latastei) are restricted to low altitude habitats (which are in general more subject to alteration), or are restricted to islands. Conservation actions should be applied for protecting Salamandra lanzai, S. atra aurorae, the Sardinian plethodontids (genus Speleomantes), and Euproctus platycephalus. For the anurans, the most endangered taxon appears to be P. fuscus insubricus, while some insular species such as Discoglossus pictus, D. sardus, and Hyla sarda should be carefully managed by the creation of protected areas.