13-08-2015
A few days ago were freed a few hundred young tadpoles and toad of spurs in Collserola Park in the framework of the recovery of the species is done for five years.
This is the fifth time released copies of toad of spurs Collserola Park. It all started with a project formulated Consortium Natural Park of the Sierra de Collserola by the Catalan Society of Herpetology (SCH) to recover this species extinct in the Sierra, which was very well received. The reasons for the termination were that the only place to be reproduced Collserola Vallvidrera reservoir, a real gem for lovers of amphibians, suffered numerous invasions by exotic biological consecutive literally go swallow their larvae and slugs.
Before starting the project had much work to do. First they made a genetic study to know what populations could be donors. With as little mobility species such as amphibians may appear isolated populations which, over time, differ from other nearby at their hereditary characteristics. As much as possible should not destroy this genetic wealth. In the present case it was found that all the Catalan population of the species could be considered homogeneous.
Populations donors had to be people with many individuals not affect them adversely remove copies. We decided to catch tadpoles instead of adults because it has the least impact on the population donor. Also, catch basins are at risk of drying before the larvae have time to complete their cycle, saving them, then, a certain death. This forces the larvae kept in captivity until a state close to or just after metamorphosis do.
Then he studied habitat receiver. We wanted to find a suitable place for toads and from which they could recolonize other places. So he chose an area near the Rierada one of the few permanent streams Park that could serve as a biological corridor. The pond is where the reintroduction meets exceptional conditions. Breed frogs points (common parsley frog), midwife (Alytes obstetricans), common toad (Bufo spinosus) for 3 years, very recent colonization test the suitability of the site, tree frog (Hyla meridionalis), green frog (Pelophylax perezi) and the current that feeds the pond also reproduced the salamander (Salamandra). In the area are also toad (Bufo calamita). Finally, a representative sample of specimens captured toad of spurs to be released each year are subjected to veterinary checks to ensure their health and discard non-carriers of both emerging diseases affecting amphibian populations. With all these requirements is still early to know if the population is established, just as the first batch of animals begin to reach sexual maturity. We hope you have luck and recover this nice component of biodiversity Collserola Park.
