Science & Research (Mar 2018)
DISTRIBUTION, SEX, SIZE AND MORPHOMETRIC STRUCTURE OF THE EUROPEAN COMMON SPADEFOOT TOAD (PELOBATES FUSCUS LAURENTI, 1768) IN THE AREA OF THE ZLATIYA PLATEAU
Abstract
European common spadefoot toad (Pelobates fuscus) is a night active, very secretive species and the knowledge about it in Bulgaria is limited. The study in the area of the Zlatiya plateau was done with the aid of 100 pitfall traps, set to establish the common faunistic diversity. Fixed and examined were 45 specimens. All important for the tailless amphibians morfometric indexes and values were measured and analysed. The animals were divided in 5 groups (juvenile, male subadult, female subadult, male mature adults and female mature adults). Statistical processing of the morphometric data showed that the sample as a whole can be considered homogeneous with weak variation of the signs. The results were analysed and commented in a comparative aspect with similar studies in other parts of the geographic range of the species. Morfometric data, in combination with the sex and size structure of the population, were indicative of its status and its trends, which was of great importance in determining the conservation significance and the favourable conservation status of the species. The results of this survey were useful for the preparation of a pack of conservation measures.
