Acta Zoologica Cracoviensia, 48A(1-2) 2005
Issue:
VOL 48A(1-2) 2005
Keywords:
Species range, spadefoot toads, Pelobates, chorology, Balkan, paleogeography
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Historical and contemporary ranges of the spadefoot toads Pelobates spp. (Amphibia: Anura) in the Balkan Peninsula
Abstract:
We outline the historical and contemporary ranges of two spadefoot toad species (Pelobates fuscus and P. syriacus) in the Balkan Peninsula, including the adjacent area based upon published data and our own investigations, as well as from indirect paleogeographical and paleoecological data. We estimate that approximately 13% of the historical range of P. fuscus was lost during the last 100 years. The distribution range of P. syriacus in the Balkans is much larger than previously known, rather compact but disjunctive. The range of P. fuscus penetrates deeply into the Balkans, but has a rather fragmented distribution. The two species are sympatric along the lower course of the Danube, the western Black Sea coast and, further to the south, in the vicinity of the Bosphorus Strait. We refined the borders of the sympatry zone, especially in Serbia. We suggest that special conservation measures are required for the isolated populations of both species, remnants of a formally continuous distribution range. Key words:
