On Distribution and Conservation Status of Neurergus kaiseri (Caudata: Salamandridae)

Mozafar Sharifi, Nasrullah Rastegar-Pouyani, Vahid Akmali, Somayeh Assadian Narengi

Abstract


Newts of the genus Neurergus in south-western Iran are amongst the least known amphibian taxa in the country. Since 1975, few scientific record have reported for Neurergus kaiseri. Morphological characteristics and habitat preferences of Neurergus kaiseri have been described from Taleh Zang stream in southern Zagros Mountains, Iran, in an area not previously known as a habitat for this newt. In the stream, where the newt was found channel substrate, channel width, adjacent riparian plant community type, and land use practice were determined. Visual estimates were made of percent channel substrate composition showed that this newt more often (45%) occupies aquatic microenvironments with substrate of pebbles and fine texture. Various factors threatening this species including lack of suitable highland streams, presence of a cyprinid fish (Barbus sp.) which is known to prey upon eggs and larvae of the amphibians and also illegal collecting and trade are discussed.

Keywords


Salamandridae; Neurergus kaiseri; Zagros Mountains; Lorestan Province; morphology; ecology

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.30906/1026-2296-2008-15-3-169-172

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