Yes, we know this sounds strange, but today some good news about the Moroccan spadefoot toad!
Three researchers from the University of Applied Sciences Van Hall Larenstein in the Netherlands, Philip de Pous, Diederik Dingemans and Eric van der Pol,have a keen interest in amphibian conservation.
After ten weeks of research in Morocco, they decided to write a blog on their current project: “Ecology and conservational status of Pelobates varaldii from the coastal areas of Morocco”. The aim of this study is to research the ecology, phylogenetics and conservational status (distribution and threats) of the Moroccan spadefoot toad (Pelobates varaldii). Pelobates varaldii is currently ranked number 36 in the Evolutionary Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) top 100 list.
And the news from the ponds of Morocco is good.
During the first weeks in the field we discovered to our great excitement that Pelobates varaldii is still very abundant within the constraints of Mamora forest. Tadpoles were present in almost every temporary pond we have visited during the course of our research. Until now we have measured and photographed approximately 150 adult individuals, which provided us with valuable data concerning their population demography and morphological characteristics, of which now only very scarce data is available.To read more on this fascinating research, visit the EDGE Blog
Tags: Moroccan Morocco Fes, Maghreb news
No comments:
Post a Comment