Threat Factors in the Declined Populations of Bombina variegata (L., 1758) from Türkiye

Abstract In the present study, three known populations (Kurtkaya, Söğütlüdere, and Hisarlı) of Bombina variegata in Enez district, Edirne province of Türkiye were observed to detect habitat preferences and threat factors 10 years after they were first reported. We visited six localities in Kurtkaya, two in Söğütlüdere, and three in Hisarlı and evaluated threat factors and conservation status of the toads. Our results showed that individuals of the species are seriously affected by extreme aquatic habitat degradation in Kurtkaya and Söğütlüdere. We observed that the Hisarlı population has sufficient aquatic habitat within an area of approximately 200 m to sustain the reproductive activities of the toads. However, there are agricultural fields close to the upstream, and the pesticides used in this locality may be carried into the stream by rainwater, potentially adversely affecting the toads. To prevent the extinction of this species, which is distributed in a very narrow area of only 3000 ha in Türkiye, a conservation action plan must be implemented and urgent measures must be taken as soon as possible.