Distribution and characteristics of aquatic habitats of newts and yellow-bellied toads in the district of Ioannina (Epirus, Greece)

The study describes the aquatic habitats and distribution of Triturus alpestris veluchiensis Wolterstorff 1935, T. carnifex macedonicus (Karaman, 1922), T. vulgaris graecus (Wolterstorff, 1905) and Bombina variegata scabra (Küster, 1843) in the district (“nomos”) of Ioannina, Northern Greece. Bombina variegata was found to be the most common species, followed by T. alpestris and T. carnifex while T. vulgaris seemed to be rare. The four taxa differed in habitat use and geographic distribution. Records of T. alpestris were limited to the highest sites in the north and east of the district. This species inhabited alpine lakes, but also smaller habitats such as drinking troughs and ponds. Four populations contained paedomorphic individuals. Triturus vulgaris appeared to be restricted to low altitude sites in the centre of the district where it lived in reservoirs, watering basins and drinking troughs. Triturus carnifex and B. variegata had a wider distribution and occupied a broader spectrum of habitats. Bombina variegata was the only species studied which lived in running waters (small brooks). Neither newts nor yellow-bellied toads were found in large rivers and lakes. In the district of Ioannina both habitat variety and distribution range of newts and Yellow-bellied Toads turned out to be greater than previously known. Alpine lakes containing very large populations of paedomorphic individuals should be protected given the rarity of the phenomenon.