Eco.mont Vol. 17 Nr. 1, pp. 17-24, 2025/01/07
Journal on Protected Mountain Areas Research and Management
Newts are in sharp decline in many regions. They have conservation value; thus, their presence is important in natural protected areas. The Iron Gates Natural Park (IGNP) in the Danube Gorge, Romania, is one protected area where, despite its rich general biodiversity, there are only a few old records of newts. However, several newt species are still present in the park. Between 2018 and 2024, we recorded three newt species in 15 distribution points in IGNP: Triturus cristatus, Lissotriton vulgaris and Ichthyosaura alpestris. The most widespread species was L. vulgaris. Our data prove that newts are still present in the region, especially in isolated habitats in cold wet valleys, and on mountains or hilltops. Nevertheless, newts remain rare within IGNP in the Danube Gorge area. With few exceptions, they are represented by a small number of individuals restricted to small-size habitats in a narrow area of the park. Although the region is considered a hotspot of research on amphibians, our data indicates how little is known about its fauna.
Keywords: amphibians, diversity, habitats, protected area, protected species
