New localities of the Kurdistan newt Neurergus microspilotus and Lake Urmia newt Neurergus crocatus ( Caudata : Salamandridae ) in Iraq

Little is known about the distribution and current conservation status of the two spe- cies of mountain dwelling newts of the genus Neurergus found in the Zagros Mountain in northern and northeastern Iraq: the Critically Endangered Kurdistan newt Neurergus microspilotus (Nesterov 1916), and the vulnerable Lake Urmia newt Neurergus crocatus (Cope 1862). Surveys in the Kurd- istan region of northeastern Iraq from 2007 to 2012 resulted in the discovery of N. microspilotus at seven new localities distributed in the Zagros Mountain of Sulaymaniya Province. The new locations provide a major range extension of N. microspilotus. In addition, four new localities of N. crocatus were located between 2007 and 2013. In addition to Neurergus newt surveys, interviews with local people were also conducted through the use of photographs. Severe drought during recent years as well as anthropogenic habitat destruction and pollution have been considered as main threats to the survival of both species in northern Iraq. Here we describe new geographical distributions and the conservation status of both Neurergus species found in Iraq.

Trefwoorden:kurdis-,kurdistan newt,lake uremia newt,neurergus crocatus,neurergus microspilotus,salamanders