Rana temporaria on Monti della Laga (Central Italy): isolated population or wide distribution? First record in Abruzzo and Marche

• DOI: 10.36253/a_h-9824
• Publication Date: 2021-08-08T13:51:58Z
• Authors: Francesco Di Toro; Gianmarco Minuti; Luca Coppari; Matteo De Albentiis; Paolo Laghi; Dino Scaravelli; Valerio Ricciardi; Giacomo Bruni
• Keywords: 0106 biological sciences; Central Italy; Rana temporaria; relict species; species distribution model; MaxEnt; Central Italy; species distribution model; Rana temporaria; 15. Life on land; 01 natural sciences; QL1-991; relict species; Animal Science and Zoology; MaxEnt; Zoology

In Central Italy Rana temporaria is only known to occur as a glacial relict on the eastern side of Monti della Laga (Lazio). this study we report presence species in other areas mountain chain, with documented sightings five distinct localities Marche and Abruzzo. We use these new records, together occurrence data from Apennine generate distribution model perform an analysis geological preference Italy. Although indicates wide area Abruzzo suitable for R. temporaria, actual northern central appears strongly associated sandstones. Therefore, argue that substrate Laga, but not surrounding karst uplands, could be among factors explaining its isolation. Our aims at paving way future surveys measures protect isolated populations threat posed by climate change.