Species

Euproctus platycephalus

Common Name(s)

Sardinian Brook Salamander

Region where program is based

Europe

Country where program is based

Italy

The authority that recommended this species for an ex situ program

Has a genetic analysis been performed on wild populations to define the target taxon, i.e., verify that single, viable Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESU's) that are managed as separate populations, are not confounded by cryptic species or polymorphisms?

Name of the institution managing the ex situ population

Fondazione Bioparco di Roma

Year the program started

2009

Is at least some portion of the captive population maintained in range country?

Yes

Are sufficient resources available to manage the ex situ population?

Are adequate numbers of skilled staff available with the appropriate ex situ amphibian experience?

Is sufficient space available for the required population size?

Additional Support required

Has a Taxon Management Coordinator for the ex situ population been appointed?

Yes

Taxon Management Coordinator

Massimiliano Di Giovanni of Fondazione Bioparco di Roma

Has a Taxon Management Group or Recovery Team been established?

Yes

Has a Taxon Management Plan, Recovery Plan or Species Action Statement been written?

Yes

Web link to Taxon Management Plan

Have Husbandry Guidelines been written?

Yes

Web link to Husbandry Management Guidelines

https://www.eaza.net/assets/Uploads/CCC/2015-Sardinian-brook-salamander-EAZA-Best-Practice-Guidelines-Approved.pdf

Have any knowledge gaps in the species biology or in their interaction with potential threats been identified that could benefit from research using the ex situ population?

Have founder needs been calculated using the AArk Amphibian Population Management Guidelines ?

Have sufficient potential founders been collected? ( AArk Amphibian Population Management Guidelines recommends a minimum of 20 pairs of found animals).

Is the ex situ population managed by nationals from the range country?

Yes

What tools are used to maximize retention of genetic diversity?

Has the population produced viable offspring?

Yes

Have the first generation captive-bred animals bred successfully?

Yes

Is the ex situ population housed in permanent isolation from other populations occurring outside its range?

Yes

Is work being supported to study and mitigate threats to the species in the wild, either by the institution or by a regional wildlife agency?

Have captive-bred or captive-reared animals been released into the wild?

Yes

If releases were undertaken, have disease screening protocols or veterinary health checks been conducted prior to releases to the wild?

Yes

Is follow-up work being carried out to monitor progress of the released animals?

Yes

Is the taxon again secure in the wild, even if it might still require some ongoing in situ management? i.e. has the need for a captive assurance population been obviated such that we can call this a successfully terminated captive rescue program?

Comments

2021: 25 adults in reproductive age have already been selected, suitable for release in the wild, to reinforce the first reproductive nucleus released in 2019. 2020: In agreement with the Environment Department of the Sardegna Region, on 1/10/2019, 30 F1 individuals (15.15.0) born in the Bioparco’s lab between 2011 and 2013, from the population of Rio Su Gattu, were reintroduced in their wild habitat. The individuals had been tested in recent years several times without showing any significant health issue, and finally tested in September 2019 on chitridium (Batracochytridium dendrobatidis and Batracochytridium salamandrivorans), resulting negative. For at least three years following the release, the population will be monitored by some members of Bioparco’s staff, personnel of local organisations in Sardegna and staff from the University Roma Tre.