Pelophylax cerigensis

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AMPHIBIA	ANURA	RANIDAE

Scientific Name:

Pelophylax cerigensis

Species Authority:

(Beerli, Hotz, Tunner, Heppich and Uzzell, 1994)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Karpathos Frog

Synonym/s:

Rana cerigensis Beerli, Hotz, Tunner, Heppich and Uzzell, 1994

Taxonomic Notes:

This species is now regarded as being endemic to the island of Karpathos; populations on Rhodes that were previously assigned to this species are now allocated to P. bedriagae (Lymberakis et al. 2007). The taxonomy of Pelophylax is complex and further studies are ongoing.

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Critically Endangered B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii) ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2008

Assessor/s

Peter Beerli, Thomas Uzzell, Petros Lymberakis

Evaluator/s:

Cox, N. and Temple, H.J. (Global Amphibian Assessment)

Justification:
Listed as Critically Endangered, because its extent of occurrence is less than 100 km2 and area of occupancy is less than 10 km2, it is known from a single location, and there is a continuing decline in the quality of its habitat. Current population trend has not been quantified but it is likely to be declining in response to habitat loss; the species was more abundant in the 1960s than it is today.

History:

2006

–

Endangered

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species is known only from Karpathos Island, Greece. It is currently only known with certainty from a single river, near Olimbos in the mountains on the north side of the island, and it does not appear to range more widely.
Countries:	Native: Greece
Range Map:	(click map to view full version)

Population [top]

Population:	The known population on Karpathos is reported to be 'modest' (Beerli et al. 1994). Earlier literature sources from the 1960s have indicated that water frogs were abundant on the island, but around 1992 they were difficult to find (with very few adults being observed, but several juveniles) (P. Beerli pers. comm.). Recent reports indicate that it is quite common in its single site on Karpathos. Current population trend has not been quantified, but there certainly was a decline from the 1960s to the present.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Population:

The known population on Karpathos is reported to be 'modest' (Beerli et al. 1994). Earlier literature sources from the 1960s have indicated that water frogs were abundant on the island, but around 1992 they were difficult to find (with very few adults being observed, but several juveniles) (P. Beerli pers. comm.). Recent reports indicate that it is quite common in its single site on Karpathos. Current population trend has not been quantified, but there certainly was a decline from the 1960s to the present.

Population Trend:

Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It is a mostly aquatic species, largely restricted to permanent still or slow-running waters and apparently sensitive to habitat change. Breeding and larval development presumably take place in these waterbodies.
Systems:	Terrestrial; Freshwater

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	The major threat is habitat loss and degradation of suitable aquatic habitats. Although the site from which the species is known is fairly remote, freshwater habitats are subject to a number of threats such as excessive water abstraction and climate change. Fires are an additional potential threat, and the species may be vulnerable to climate change.

Major Threat(s):

The major threat is habitat loss and degradation of suitable aquatic habitats. Although the site from which the species is known is fairly remote, freshwater habitats are subject to a number of threats such as excessive water abstraction and climate change. Fires are an additional potential threat, and the species may be vulnerable to climate change.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	It is listed on Appendix III of the Bern Convention. It probably occurs in a protected area on Karpathos, but there is a need for further research into the range and low population of this species. Monitoring and effective protection and appropriate management of the single site at which it is known to occur is needed.

Conservation Actions:

It is listed on Appendix III of the Bern Convention. It probably occurs in a protected area on Karpathos, but there is a need for further research into the range and low population of this species. Monitoring and effective protection and appropriate management of the single site at which it is known to occur is needed.

Citation:	Peter Beerli, Thomas Uzzell, Petros Lymberakis 2008. Pelophylax cerigensis. In: IUCN 2009. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 21 November 2009.
Disclaimer:	To make use of this information, please check the <Terms of Use>.
Feedback:	If you see any errors or have any questions or suggestions on what is shown on this page, please fill in the feedback form so that we can correct or extend the information provided