No abstract

The worldwide erosion of biological diversity has not spared amphibians which are amongst the most affected taxa with numerous extinct or near-extinct species. Our knowledge of the status and ecology of amphibians of Algeria is still limited whereas local natural habitats are fast disappearing under a strong anthropogenic pressure. Eighty two localities were sampled between 1996 and 2010, to survey the amphibian community within Numidia, North-Eastern Algeria. Nine species, three Urodeles (Pleurodeles poireti, Pleurodeles nebulosus and Salamandra algira and six Anurans (Bufo bufo spinosus, Bufo mauritanicus, Bufo viridis, Discoglossus pictus, Hyla meridionalis and Pelophylax saharicus) were found within the region. Results suggest a marked, rapid and unexplained crash of the Algerian Newt Pleurodeles poireti, a species endemic to a small area in and around Djebel Edough (Annaba). Information on the status (abundance and distribution) of each recorded taxon is provided and conservation measures are discussed in the light of an apparent local decline of Anurans and the vulnerability of three species (S. algira, P. nebulosus and B. bufo spinosus).