Spring Monitoring of Amphibians: Field Activities in Friuli Venezia Giulia Provide New Data on Proteus anguinus

by Eleonora | Apr 10, 2025 | herpetology, Lab projects, Subterranean biology

At the end of March 2025, a winter monitoring campaign focused on collecting data on amphibians was carried out in key sites of Friuli Venezia Giulia and Tuscany as part of ongoing research and monitoring projects. The fieldwork involved the collection of biological and biometric samples, such as stomach contents and biometric parameters, from multiple species of anurans and urodeles, with the aim of implementing studies on population genetics, health status, and trophic ecology.

Particularly relevant was the opportunity to collect data on Proteus anguinus, the only European cave-adapted amphibian species and a strict troglobiont endemic to the Dinaric Karst. This species, listed among the most strictly protected under both national and international legislation, is notoriously difficult to study due to its subterranean habitat and conservation sensitivity.

During the field activities, researchers successfully performed — for the first time on P. anguinus — the non-invasive stomach flushing technique. This method allows the collection of information on the latest foraging activities of species, enabling dietary analysis without causing harm to the animal.

This winter monitoring campaign also included the collection of data on surface-dwelling amphibians, which contributed to existing datasets from several projects and long-term monitoring programs aimed at assessing population status, genetic variability, and the study of the trophic niche of this species.