Application of IUCN criteria to the batrachofauna in the Murcia Region (S.E. Iberian Península)

Populational tendencies of the amphibian species present in the province of Murcia were analysed. Later, IUCN criteria (UICN, 2001, 2003) were applied to these species. A significant decrease in the number of species per 10x10 km U.T.M. square was detected, and distribution range of the species Discoglossus jeanneae, Bufo bufo, Epidalea calamita and Pleurodeles waltl was significantly smaller. The following species groups were identified according to their risk of extinction: DD (Pleurodeles waltl); LC (Pelophylax perezi); VU*(VU-NT) (Bufo bufo, Epidalea calamita, Pelodytes punctatus; Pelobates cultripes); VU (Salamandra salamandra, Alytes dickhilleni, Alytes obstetricans); EN (Discoglossus jeanneae); RE(RE-EN) (Hyla meridionalis). The regression of the amphibian community in the Province and the population regression of some of the studied species, point to the importance of developing management measures which guarantee their conservation. Additionally, the uncertainties regarding the conservation status of some of the species emphasize the need to undertake this kind of studies with information that is as complete, updated and precise as possible.

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