The Italian batrachofauna and its conservation status: a statistical assessment

The status of the Italian autochtonous batrachofauna has been analysed taki ng into consideration a set of 13 variables, ranging from natural history t raits (e.g, type of reproduction, number of eggs, frequented habitat), to d istribution and areal fragmentation, taxonomic uniqueness and insularity. E ach variable was categorized into four ranks (0-3) of increasing risk for s urvival. Urodeles and anurans were treated separately for both univariate a nd multivariate analyses. The results confirm a general sensitivity of urod eles, 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 euryecio us (Bufo bufo, Rana temporaria, R. "esculenta"), appear more sensitive than urodeles for a series of factors. Some anurans (such as Pelobates fuscus i nsubricus and R. latastei) are restricted to low altitude habitats (which a re in general more subject to alteration), or are restricted to islands. Co nservation actions should be applied for protecting Salamandra lanzai, S. a tra aurorae, the Sardinian plethodontids (genus Speleomantes), and Euproctu s 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. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.