Two new localities for Kurdistan newt Neurergus derjugini from Kurdistan Province of Iran

Genus Neurergus is one of the genera in family Salamandridae. This genus comprises of four species which three of them, Lake Urmia Newt, N. crocatus,Kurdistan Newt, N. derjugini, and Luristan Newt, N. kaiseri are found in Iran. Kurdistan Newt, N. derjugini inhabits mountain brooks, springs, rivers and ponds in the northern and middle parts of the Zagros Mountains in West Azarbayjan, Kurdistan, and Kermanshah provinces. Because of limited distribution area, habitat loss and fragmentation, environmental pollutions, and climate changes, this species has been categorized as critically endangered by the IUCN. During fieldworks in spring and summer of 2016 and 2017, two new localities for N. derjugini were found in Kurdistan province, western Iran. These localities include Siyanezar between Saqqez and Baneh counties and Sarsonch in the vicinity of Baneh. Both newly-found localities are located in relatively remote areas and this increases hopes for the conservation of this valuable and endangered species

کلیدواژه ها:

Neurergus ، Neurergus derjugini ، Kurdistan province ، Conservation