MOBARAKI, A., AMIRI, M., ALVANDI, R., TEHRANI, M.E., KIA, H.Z., KHOSHNAMVAND, A., BALI, A., FOROZANFAR, E. & BROWNE, R.K. (2014)
A conservation reassessment of the Critically Endangered, Lorestan newt Neurergus kaiseri (Schmidt 1952) in Iran.
Amphibian and Reptile Conservation 9 (1): 16- 25.
Abstract:
The Lorestan newt (Neurergus kaiseri, Schmidt 1952) is an endemic salamander species to Iran, listed as “Critically Endangered” in the 2006 IUCN Red List due to population declines of 80%, over collection for the pet trade; area of occupancy less than 10 km2, fragmented populations, less than 1,000 adults, and continuing habitat degradation and loss. However, the Red List assessment was limited to surveys only around the type location of N. kaiseri. We conducted a series of field surveys over the previously known region inhabited by N. kaiseri, and over some other areas that appeared to provide suitable habitat for N. kaiseri. Two Iranian provinces of Khuzestan and Lorestan were surveyed with 20 aquatic sites inhabited by N. kaiseri distributed over an area of ~10,000 km² that included 14 new sites, with 11 of these remote from previously recorded sites. We estimate a minimum total population of greater than ~9,000 adult N. kaiseri at the sites we surveyed. The total population of N. kaiseri is certainly considerably greater than 9,000, because we surveyed only a small area of the potential range of N. kaiseri, and because more breeding sites appear during exceptionally wet periods. We consider that N. kaiseri needs greater conservation planning and implementation, habitat and legal protection, and increasing support for the expansion of community conservation programs. Conservation initiatives for N. kaiseri will also benefit many other threatened species including the Iran cave barb (Iranocypris typhlops), spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca), Persian leopard (Panthera pardus ciscaucasica), brown bear (Ursus arctus), Caucasian squirrel (Sciurus anomalus) and saker falcon (Falco cherrug). The information provided by our survey warrants a reassessment of the IUCN Red List conservation status of N. kaiseri. However, to guide this reassessment a conservation action plan should be prepared by the Department of the Environment of Iran, with contributions by Iranian and International experts on all facets of the conservation of Neurergus species especially including the expansion of community conservation programs.
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