Extending the natural range of a declining species: genetic evidence for native great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) populations in the Scottish Highlands

O’Brien, David; Hall, Jeanette; Orchard, DG; Barratt, Christopher D.; Arntzen, Jan W.; Jehle, Robert

doi:10.1007/s10344-014-0863-7

Cited by 10 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Triturus cristatus reaches its north-westerly limit in the Scottish Highlands, where a set of populations is separated from the remainder of the British range by over 80 km of unfavourable habitat. Due to this spatial isolation, it was previously assumed that these populations stem from introductions, and their native status was only recently demonstrated using genetic means (O'Brien & Hall 2012;O'Brien et al 2015). The aim of the present study is to employ the case of T. cristatus in the Scottish Highlands as a model to describe the habitat requirements of, and the effect of human activities on, a European flagship wetland species at the edge of its distribution.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The vulnerability of T. cristatus in the Scottish Highlands stems from the small number of occupied ponds and their isolation from the species' core range, and its recent recognition as a native species makes its conservation a priority for government agencies(O'Brien et al 2015).Long-term effectiveness of conservation interventions, such as pond creation and habitat management, relies on a thorough understanding of the species' habitat requirements at this part of its range. The relationship between population loss and fish presence is a particular concern, due to local pressure from recreational angling.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Habitat requirements and conservation needs of peripheral populations: the case of the great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) in the Scottish Highlands

et al. 2016

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Edge populations are of conservation importance because of their roles as reservoirs of evolutionary potential and in understanding a given species' ecological needs. Mainly due to loss of aquatic breeding sites, the great crested newt Triturus cristatus is amongst the fastest declining amphibian species in Europe. Focusing on the northwesterly limit of the T. cristatus range, in the Scottish Highlands, we aimed to characterise habitat requirements and conservation needs of an isolated set of edge populations. We recorded 129 breeding-pond related environmental parameters, and used a variable-selection procedure followed by random forest analysis to build a predictive model for the species' present occurrence, as well as for population persistence incorporating data on population losses. The most important variables predicting T. cristatus occurrence and persistence were associated with pond quality, pond shore and surrounding terrestrial habitat (especially mixed Pinus sylvestris-Betula woodland), and differed from those identified in the species' core range. We propose that habitat management and pond creation should focus on the locally most favourable habitat characteristics to improve the conservation status and resilience of populations. This collaborative work, between conservation agencies and scientific researchers, is presented as an illustrative example of linking research, management and conservation.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

Habitat requirements and conservation needs of peripheral populations: the case of the great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) in the Scottish Highlands

et al. 2016

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“…Other populations are found in the south-west in Dumfries & Galloway with small isolated numbers present in Perth & Kinross, Scottish Borders, Argyll & Bute and Ayrshire. The smaller Highland population with about forty breeding ponds is located around Inverness [2]. Great crested newts have also been introduced to one site further north in Highland in Caithness.…”

Section: Great Crested Newt 21 Scottish Distributionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Amphibian and Reptile Conservation in Scotland: Focus on the Great Crested Newt Triturus cristatus and the European Adder Vipera berus

McInerny¹

2018

Reptiles and Amphibians

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Scotland, due to its geographical location and climate, has a relatively limited number of species of amphibians and reptiles. However, many of these are found widely across the country. As representatives of amphibians and reptiles in Scotland, this chapter will focus on the great crested newt Triturus cristatus and the European adder Vipera berus. For both species it will describe their distribution, habitat requirements, life cycles, population estimates and trends, legal protection and threats. Furthermore, it will outline recent conservation projects in Scotland showing how these creatures can live both in close proximity to humans and in developed landscapes relevant for their conservation elsewhere.

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“…Moreover, great crested newts have distinct habitat requirements and infrequently occupy urban or garden ponds in the UK as opposed to the common frog (Rana temporaria Linnaeus, 1758) and smaller newts (Oldham et al, 2000;Langton et al, 2001;Beebee, 2015). The effect of anthropogenic stressors in combination with species ecology has produced small, localised, and fragmented populations of great crested newts in the UK (O'Brien et al, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Identified great crested newt associations have largely been based on studies of populations in continental Europe, and in the UK centred in England where the species has widespread distribution (Lewis et al, 2017). Conversely, the species is uncommon in Scotland, with a restricted distribution in the south and a distinct population in the Highlands (O'Brien et al, 2015). The majority of Scottish populations are small despite being present in around 200 locations (O'Brien, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of habitat and survey criteria for the great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) in Scotland: a case study on a translocated population

2018

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The great crested newt Triturus cristatus has declined across its range due to habitat loss, motivating research into biotic and abiotic species determinants. However, research has focused on populations in England and mainland Europe. We examined habitat and survey criteria for great crested newts in Scotland, with focus on a large, translocated population. Adult counts throughout the breeding season were obtained annually using torchlight surveys, and Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) assessed at created ponds (N = 24) in 2006 (immediately posttranslocation) and 2015 (9 years post-translocation). In 2006, 'best case' HSI scores were calculated to predict habitat suitability should great crested newts have unrestricted access to terrestrial habitat. Abiotic criteria included in and omitted from current great crested newt survey guidelines were assessed using data recorded in 2015. Some ponds had improved HSI scores in 2015, but overall failure to meet predicted scores suggests management is needed to improve habitat suitability. Great crested newt activity was positively associated with moon visibility and phase, air temperature, and pH, but negatively correlated with water clarity. Importantly, our results indicate there are abiotic determinants specific to Scottish great crested newts. Principally, survey temperature thresholds should be lowered to enable accurate census of Scottish populations.

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Extending the natural range of a declining species: genetic evidence for native great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) populations in the Scottish Highlands

Cited by 10 publications

References 39 publications

Habitat requirements and conservation needs of peripheral populations: the case of the great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) in the Scottish Highlands

Habitat requirements and conservation needs of peripheral populations: the case of the great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) in the Scottish Highlands

Amphibian and Reptile Conservation in Scotland: Focus on the Great Crested Newt Triturus cristatus and the European Adder Vipera berus

Assessment of habitat and survey criteria for the great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) in Scotland: a case study on a translocated population

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