Centre for Research and Conservation Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp (KMDA)

1. Taxon Management Kurdistan newt Neurergusmicrospilotus Centre for Research and Conservation Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp (KMDA) Dr Robert Browne* Prof. Nasrullah Rastigar^ Prof. Mozafar Sharifi^ *Taxon Management Coordinator, Amphibian Ark; EAZA TAG Coordinator; Postdoctoral Fellow, KMDA; Research Officer, IUCN/WAZA Amphibian Ark. ^ Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Razi University, Iran. Koninklijke MaatschappijvoorDierkundevanAntwerpen Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp

2. Range and distribution Iran Iraq 45 km Iran – mid-Zagros Range on the western edge of the Iranian Plateau Red stars known locations , yellow dots probably locations

3. Climate Maximum rainfall during winter until early summer then with a very dry summer. Freezing winter with moderate summer temperatures. 1) Stream discharges are more strongly related to winter snowfall. 2) Strong relationship between spring flash discharge and sudden high rainfall. 3) The relationship between rainfall and stream discharge is not linear.

4. Habitat – Zagros Mountains

5. Status and threats STATUS • IUCN Critically Endangered. • Iran - four streams and perhaps three others. • Iraq - not known but potential low. • Parts of N. micospiletus habitat extend into Khabr and Rochon protected area in Kermanshah Province MAIN THREATS • Habitat loss and alteration. • Fragmented populations. • Climate change. (Potential for exotic or more virulent diseases)

6. Habitat loss 1) Extirpated at type locality "Ghorighalah Cave" • - tourist facility and sewerage effluence. 2) Extraction of water for irrigation and drainage. 3) Pollution - pesticides, fertilisers, sewerage. 4) Grazing.

7. Fragmented populations 1) A species is its genetic compliment and variation. 2) Remaining small relict populations are subject to loss of genetic variation – no movement between streams. 3) Results in reduced fitness and adaptability. • - these may be critical to survival as environmental stresses increase and exotic diseases manifest

8. Climate change Threats from climate change • Over range, temperature increase by 2.5-4˚C and rainfall decrease by up to 20% over 50 years = less runoff. • Extreme rainfall events dominate precipitation in the area. • Climate change can alter competition and predation, agricultural practice, and disease epidemiology. • N. microspilotus is adapted to stoichastic rainfall and this may limit some effects.

9. Surveys • Surveys (Razi University, privates, zoos, institutes) - relative abundance and population estimate. - sample for genetic assessment. - gene banking in the field. • Associated activities - Sample brood stock for conservation breeding program. - Involve international conservationists in field work. - Educate local people on the conservation significance of N. microspilotus.

10. Conservation Breeding Program • Conservng Program • (all animals under Iranian government tutelage and or MOU’s) • BACKGROUND • reproduced at both at Razi University (Sharifi and Assadian 2005) • and in Europe by expert privates (). • current conservation breeding population 9 animals (Razi University). • FUTURE INITIATIVES • population 50:50 (Razi University). • improving reproduction/husbandry (privates). • - build gene banking capacity (Razi University).

11. Facility at Razi University Two raceways Innovative use of refrigeration parts for cooling

12. Display/education/research (all animals under Iranian government tutelage and or MOU’s) • Display & Education - Conservation displays of N. microspilotus with educational information (European and other regional international zoos). • Information and Education - *Information base (privates (Yago Alonso, web 2.0; AArk website). - *“To assist the coordination of discussions, upload materials, coordinate studbooks, follow up breeding programs, diseases, field trips, etc”. • Research - gene banking - genetic research.

13. Habitat management and rehabitation • Extirpated at type locality "Ghorighalah Cave" - a "Natural Monument" and a protected region.

14. Main contributers • Razi University – In range host. • Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp – TMC/international project host. • Others

15. References • Alijani B, O’Brien J, Yarnal B. 2008. Spatial analysis of precipitation intensity and concentration in Iran. Theoretical and Applied Climatology. 94(1-2):107-124. • Rastegar-Pouyani, N. (2006). ''Conservation and distribution of Neurergusmicrospilotus (Caudata: Salamandridae) in the Zagros Mountains, Kermanshah Province, Western Iran.'' HerpetologiaBonnensis II. Proceedings of the 13th Congress of the SocietasEuropaeaHerpetologica. M. Vences, J. Köhler, T. Ziegler, and W. Böhme, eds. • Sharifi, M. and Assadian, S. (2005). Reproductive cycle of the yellow spotted newt Neurergusmicrospilotus (Caudata: Salamandridae) in western Iran. Russian Journal of Herpetology. 12(1):63-68. • Sharifi, M. and Assadian, S. (2004). ''Distribution and conservation status of Neurergusmicrospilotus (Caudata: Salamandridae) in western Iran.'' AsiaticHerpetologicalReview, 10, 224-229. • Steinfartz S, Hwang UW, Tautz D, Öz M, Veith M. 2002. Molecular phylogeny of the salamandrid genus Neurergus: evidence for an intrageneric switch of reproductive biology. Amphibia-Reptilia 23: 419-431.