A database of life-history traits of European amphibians

By

Trochet, Audrey
Moulherat, Sylvain
Calvez, Olivier
Stevens, Virginie
Clobert, Jean
Schmeller, Dirk S.

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2014-10-30

Original Publication

Biodiversity data journal

Volume

2

Pages

1--38

Subjects

Amphibians , Europe , life history traits

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia Pensoft Publishers [2013]-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.2.e4123

 

Abstract

In the current context of climate change and landscape fragmentation, efficient conservation strategies require the explicit consideration of life history traits. This is particularly true for amphibians, which are highly threatened worldwide, composed by more than 7400 species, which is constitute one of the most species-rich vertebrate groups. The collection of information on life history traits is difficult due to the ecology of species and remoteness of their habitats. It is therefore not surprising that our knowledge is limited, and missing information on certain life history traits are common for in this species group. We compiled data on amphibian life history traits from literature in an extensive database with morphological and behavioral traits, habitat preferences and movement abilities for 86 European amphibian species (50 Anuran and 36 Urodela species). When it were available, we reported data for males, females, juveniles and tadpoles. Our database may serve as an important starting point for further analyses regarding amphibian conservation.