Introduction to the updated Article 17 checklists for species and habitats

Transcription

1 EUROPEAN TOPIC CENTRE ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY Introduction to the updated Article 17 checklists for species and habitats Version 2 27 May 2016

2 EUROPEAN TOPIC CENTRE ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY Introduction The present note aims at explaining the different steps undertaken by ETC/BD to prepare a draft updated version of the Art. 17 checklists for the reporting cycle. It includes a summary of the principles retained to prepare the lists, taking into account the various comments received from Member States after the meetings of the Expert Group on Reporting in November 2015 and March The note also provides guidance to Member States on the type of feedback needed on their part to the draft checklists. I. From to checklists The proposed draft checklists for reporting were prepared as follows: - Compilation of habitats and species from the reporting; - Addition of Annex I habitats and Annex II species for Croatia, based on information reported in the Natura 2000 database; - Integration of information on habitats and species from the delayed Greek Art 17 delivery; - Dealing with taxonomic issues with the aim to propose a more updated list of species names under which Member States should report; - Pre-assignment of category of occurrence to each habitat/species, using the typology presented in section III below). Pre-assignment of marginal occurrence category was based on a review by ETC/BD of species reported with low populations in a given region/ country. II. Dealing with changes in species taxonomy A common understanding of the species by the Member States is a crucial condition for merging the reports in order to produce an EU level assessment of the conservation status. The basic rule in aligning the species checklist with the current taxonomy is to report at the species level in line with current understanding of the taxonomy. Since there is no up-to-date taxonomical reference covering all species groups in Europe, any modification of the Art. 17 checklist should be based on available scientific literature. Following a review of the scientific literature and taking into account comments and recommendations made by Member States (see Annex 3), a preliminary update of the species names is proposed by the ETC/BD. It should be stressed however that this update is not exhaustive and unsolved taxonomic problems remain for a few species. In order to ensure a proper cross-link with the reporting, each species is listed with 1) the species name used in the previous reporting round and 2) a recommended name proposed by the ETC/BD for the reporting. The following steps were undertaken: - Cross-linking between the recommended names and the reference code list of species used for Natura 2000 to identify mismatches in species names; - Looking at comments and proposals by Member States for use of scientific names for selected species. When possible proposals were integrated to further development of checklist;

3 - Checking the available information from global taxonomical references (e.g. Catalogue of Life, Fauna Europea, Eur+Med PlantBase), regional or national databases (e.g. DynTaxa in Sweden, TaxRef in France) and regional or national checklists; - In case of conflicting taxonomical opinions or in a situation where authors acknowledge that further studies are needed to clarify the taxonomy of a species, the species name recommended is the one used for the last reporting (very often the name in the Habitats Directive). The modification of a name is related to three types of issues: change in nomenclature, taxonomic split and change of concept. Nomenclature change (without change of concept) In this case, the concept of the species is clearly outlined, but there are several names in use. A taxon name can be outdated or invalid, or the genus was modified and thus the species name will change. When there is no change of concept from the species listed in the annexes of the Directive, the change of name does not modify the understanding of the species by the Member States. Taxonomical split In this case, the species has been revised and now represents more than one species. The table in annex 1 provides an overview of species for which Member States have indicated that a species occurring in their territory has been revised and now represents more than one species, as well as ETC/BD recommendations to submit separate Art 17 reports for the reporting period or a joint report covering several newly recognised species. The ETC/BD proposal follows the principles outlined above and discussed at the Expert group meeting in November In some exceptional situations, if the newly described species cannot be distinguished and have a sympatric occurrence (they occur in the same geographical area), the recommended name for reporting will be the name listed in the Habitats Directive which can cover several newly recognised species. Merging of the taxon into a larger taxonomical concept When a species is now included in a larger species concept, it often loses its specific or even subspecific status. When the valid name is not a species included in the annexes of the Directive, the Member States will consider the interpretation of the species at the time when the annexes of the Directive were drafted or amended. Some discrepancies between taxonomical sources remain for a number species. Despite this taxonomical uncertainty ETC BD proposes a recommended name in the checklist. To be noted: Some changes due to incorrect gender (e.g. from Podarcis sicula to P. siculus) or declination (e.g. Podarcis raffonei to P. raffoneae), reported by MS are not yet reflected in the checklist. Such changes will be done at a later stage. III. Review of categories of occurrence The Article 17 Checklists indicate the presence of habitats/species in Member States biogeographical or marine regions. In the previous document entitled Principles for updating the Article 17 checklist for species, tabled by ETC/BD at the Expert Group on Reporting meeting in November 2015, a first proposal for revised categories of occurrence was presented. In the present note a simplified and revised version of the list, also including relevant categories for habitats, is presented in Table 1. More details and examples on these categories will be provided in the Explanatory Notes and Guidelines for reporting. 3

4 Table 1: Summary of categories of occurrence applying to habitats/species and need for reporting Code Description Reporting HABITATS SPECIES PRE The habitat type is present in the region or the species occurs regularly in the region 1. ARR Newly arriving species that do not represent a permanent component of the fauna or flora of a biogeographical/marine region, but which have started to be recorded recently within the region since 2000 and are still expanding their natural range EXa Species which became extinct (in a biogeographical or marine region) after the Habitats Directive came into force in the Member State. This category includes species for which the last record (even if it was a single individual) was noted after the date when the Directive came into force in the Member State; these species previously had a permanent/regular occurrence in the region. This category also applies for species for which (the last/the only) reproducing population within the region became extinct after the Directive came into force but which still occur as vagrant or occasional (vagrant individuals from populations in neighbouring countries/regions are present). EXp Species which became extinct (in a biogeographical or marine region) prior to the Habitats Directive coming into force in the Member State but after This category includes species which had previously stable occurrence in the region and for which the last record (even if it was a single individual) was before the date when the Directive came into force. MAR Species/ habitat of marginal occurrence, i.e. principally in one region (or Member State) with population/area extending to a neighbouring region (or Member State), where the abundance of a species/ area of habitat is insignificant. Marginal populations are closely connected to the main population occurring in the neighbouring region or Member State (for example immigration of individuals) so their favourable status can be achieved only in relation with the main population. Mandatory report X X Mandatory at least partial report NA Mandatory report NA X Recommended report but Mandatory in case of a restoration/ reintroduction plan Species/habitat to be included in checklist but no report OCC Occasionally occurring species (also called vagrant ). Recommended at Occasional species are species which do not have stable least partial report and regular occurrence in the biogeographical/marine region and which number of specimens is insignificant. Reproduction within a biogeographical/marine region is not recorded or is very sporadic. NA X X No report No report NA X 1 The species or habitat types which do not occur in the area of Cyprus where the Community acquis applies at present are noted N/R. 4

5 SCR The occurrence of the species/ habitat is uncertain. In the case of species, applies when there are only occasional historical records and it is not possible to judge whether it occurs in the region regularly in significant numbers. This criterion should not be used for species which disappeared recently from a region. Optional report X X In the case of habitats, this category applies if, for instance, it is not possible to judge whether a habitat occurs or not in the biogeographical region due to problems of interpretation of the habitat definition in the Interpretation manual. TAX The taxonomy of the species remains unclear or was ambiguous in the time the Annexes of the Directive were drafted. DEL Species/habitat considered as not present in the biogeographical/ marine region and should be deleted from the checklist Mandatory report NA X No report NA NA IV. Reporting on anadromous fish The Annexes of the Habitats Directive list several species occurring in the marine environment. All of the fish listed in the Annexes occurring in the sea are anadromous, i.e. migrate between rivers (where they spawn) and the sea (see the list below): Acipenser gueldenstaedtii Acipenser nudiventris Acipenser naccarii Acipenser oxyrinchus Acipenser stellatus Acipenser sturio Huso huso Alosa tanaica Alosa alosa Alosa fallax Alosa immaculata Lampetra fluviatilis Petromyzon marinus Thymallus thymallus - only in FI and SE Coregonus albula - only in FI and SE Coregonus oxyrhynchus At the meeting of the Expert Group on Reporting held in November 2015, the ETC/BD made a proposal for separate reports on anadromous species for marine and terrestrial biogeographical regions. This proposal was rejected by concerned Member States. Bearing in mind the lack of knowledge on marine stages of the life cycle of most anadromous fish species and the fact that the same fish populations occur in marine areas and rivers (so the status in adjacent biogeographical and marine regions is closely linked), the decision is that the status of anadromous fish should only be assessed in terrestrial biogeographical regions. Information on habitat quality and availability and pressures and threats specific to the marine environment should be included in the terrestrial report. 5

6 The only exception to these rules is for three species of Acipenseridae for which Member States have to provide separate reports for the marine and terrestrial regions: Acipenser sturio the only extant spawning population occurs in Garonne in France 2 and there are some indications of its presence in Evros river in Greece 3. This critically endangered species spends a significant part of its life in marine areas. Acipenser gueldenstaedtii and Acipenser stellatus the last Black Sea spawning populations occur in Danube with spawning of Acipenser gueldenstaedtii expected also in Rioni river 4. These critically endangered species are under pressure in both rivers and marine areas. V. Feedback expected from Member States Member States are expected to check the following information on the attached spreadsheet: - Recommended species name (column: recommended_name ) - Biogeographical/marine region (column: region ) - Categories of occurrence (column: occurrence ) The proposed modifications of the table should be reported in the green columns: region_corrected, recommended_name_corrected, occurence_corrected and explanations. The proposed additions for species and habitat should be reported in the sheet called Features_to_be_added. For species, both the species name and its link to the name of the species as listed in the Habitat directive should be provided. In all cases, proposed modifications including additions and removals should be explained and if possible documented. For Croatia, the species and habitats that are missing, particularly for Annex IV and Annex V species, should be added in the sheet called Features_to_be_added. 2 Gesner, J., Williot, P., Rochard, E., Freyhof, J. & Kottelat, M Acipenser sturio. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010: e.t230a Downloaded on 16 February Koutrakis E., Sapounidis A., L. Favre-Krey, G. Krey, P.S. Economidis Incidental catches of Acipenseridae in the estuary of the River Evros, Greece. J. Appl. Ichthyol., 27: Gesner, J., Freyhof, J. & Kottelat, M Acipenser gueldenstaedtii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010: e.t232a Downloaded on 16 February

7 EUROPEAN TOPIC CENTRE ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY Annex 1 Table 2: List of species newly recognised as splitted by ETC/BD and recommendations for separate of joint Art 17 reports Taxonomical group Plants Plants Plants Plants Name as listed in the HD Centranthus trinervis Melanoselinum decipiens Narcissus longispathus Sideroxylon canariensis Species name for the reporting Centranthus trinervis Melanoselinum decipiens Narcissus longispathus Sideroxylon canariensis Annelids Hirudo medicinalis Hirudo medicinalis Molluscs Congeria kusceri Congeria kusceri Newly described species Centranthus trinervis Centranthus amazonum Melanoselinum decipiens Angelica lignescens Narcissus longispathus Narcissus yepesii Narcissus segurensis Sideroxylon canariensis Sideroxylon marmulano Hirudo medicinalis Hirudo verbana Congeria kusceri Congeria jalzici Note Separate reports for both newly recognised species. MS comments: Sardinian populations of Centranthus trinervis, formerly understood as endemic to Sardinia and Corsica were recognised as a separate species Centranthus amazonum (Fridlender and Raynal-Roques, 1998) Centranthus trinervis is only present in Corsica. Separate reports for both species The latest work of taxonomic revision revealed that in Madeira occurs Melanoselinum decipiens and in Azores Angelica lignescens, constituting Angelica lignescens an exclusive endemism of the Azores. Azorean previously identified as M.decipiens were reassigned as a new specie (A. lignescens). Separate reports for all newly recognised species. According to the Red data book of Spain two new species have been described from the previous populations of N. longispathus, N. yepesii and N. segurensis Separate reports for both newly recognised species. Populations of Canary islands considered to belong to Sideroxylon marmulano were recently described as a separate species Sideroxylon canariensis (endemic to Canary islands). Sideroxylon marmulano is restricted to Madeira. 5 Separate reports for both newly recognised species According to recent studies (Kutschera and Kutschera and Elliot ) the medicinal leeches should represent a species complex with two species present in the EU: Hirudo verbena occurring in southern Europe and Hirudo medicinalis occurring elsewhere. Separate reports for both newly recognised species Recent phylogenetic work of Bilandžija et al showed that Congeria kusceri should be separated into three distinct species (two of them occurring within the EU). Both newly recognised species are endemics of Dinaric Karst and have restricted distribution Kutschera, U The Hirudo medicinalis species complex. Naturwissenschaften May 2012, Volume 99, Issue 5, pp Kutschera, U and Elliott J. M The European medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis L.: Morphology and occurrence of an endangered species. Zoosyst. Evol. 91 (2) 2014,

8 Molluscs Discus guerinianus Discus guerinianus Molluscs Unio elongatulus Unio elongatulus Crustaceans Austropotamobius pallipes Austropotamobius pallipes Insects Euphydryas aurinia Euphydryas aurinia Insects Osmoderma eremita Osmoderma eremita Atlantica calathoides Atlantica gueriniana Unio glaucinus Unio mancus Unio pictorum Unio ravoisieri Austropotamobius pallipes Austropotamobius italicus Euphydryas aurinia Euphydryas provincialis Euphydryas glaciegenita Separate reports for both newly recognised species MS comments: Cameron et al. (2013) carried out a review of taxon Discus (Atlantica) calathoides, which resulted on its transfer from Discidae to Gastrodontidae family (Gastropoda: Pulmonata) and the elevation of the subgenus Atlantica to genus. Therefore the subspecies Discus guerinianus guerinianus and Discus guerinianus calathoides are now designate as Atlantica gueriniana (SR - Madeira) and Atlantica calathoides (Deserted Islands). Cameron RAD, Holyoak GA, Holyoak DT, Yanes Y, Alonso MR, Ibáñez M (2013). Shell characters and genital anatomy of Atlantica calathoides and transfer of the genus Atlantica from Discidae to Gastrodontidae (Gastropoda: Pulmonata). Journal of Conchology 41: Separate report for Unio ravoisieri. Joint report for other species of Unio elongatulus species group. MS comments: The taxonomy of Unio elongatulus species group is still confused. Therefore joint report covering newly recognised species of Unio elongatulus group should be provided. On the other hand a separate report should be provided for Unio ravoisieri endemic to Spain and restricted only to two localities due to high conservation effort focusing currently the populations of this species (two Life projects. Italy agrees on a joint report under U. elongatulus for Unio pictorum, U. glaucinus and U. mancus Joint report for both species under the name Austropotamobius pallipes Recent genetic work (Grandjean et al , Fratini et al showed that the Italian form of Austropotamobius pallipes should be elevated to the species status. However the taxonomical status of Austropotamobius italicus is still contested by some authors 11 Joint report for E. aurinia, E. glaciegenita and E. provincialis under the name E. aurinia. The specific status of these species is not widely recognised. MS comments: Euphydryas aurinia represents a species complex in Italy and three distinct species/subspecies can be recognised within this complex. Osmoderma eremita Separate reports for O. cristinae and O. italic endemic to Italy. For reporting joint report for O. eremita, O. barnabita, O. lassallei under the name Osmoderma eremita Complex Osmoderma barnabita Osmoderma cristinae Osmoderma italic Osmoderma lassallei The taxonomy of this species has been revised but still further information is needed to clarify the status of new species/semi-species and distribution limits of potential species so far described within Osmoderma eremita s.l (Audisio et al , Audisio et al ). Due to different threat status, separate reports should be provided for the two Italian endemic species 8 Bilandžija, H. Morton, B., Podnar, M. and Ćetković, H. 2013: Evolutionary history of relict Congeria (Bivalvia: Dreissenidae): unearthing the subterranean biodiversity of the Dinaric Karst. Frontiers in Zoology 10:5 9 Grandjean, F., Gouin, N., Souty-Grosset, C. and Diéguez-Uribeondo, J. 2001a. Drastic bottlenecks in the endangered crayfish species Austropotamobius pallipes in Spain and implications for its colonization history. Heredity 86: Fratini, S., Zaccara, S., Barbaresi, S., Grandjean, F., Souty-Grosset, C., Crosa, G. and Gherardi, F Phylogeography of the threatened crayfish (genus Austropotamobius) in Italy: implications for its taxonomy and conservation. Heredity 94(1): Füreder, L., Gherardi, F., Holdich, D., Reynolds, J., Sibley, P. & Souty-Grosset, C Austropotamobius pallipes. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Downloaded on 16 February Audisio P, H. Brustel, G. Maria Carpenato, G. Coletti, E. Mancini, E.Piatella, M. Trizzino, M. Dutto, G. Antonini, A. de Biase Updating the taxonomy and distribution of the European Osmoderma and strategies for their conservation (Copleoptera, Scarabeidae, Cetoniinae). Fragmenta entomologica, Roma, 39 (2):

9 Invertebrates Zerynthia polyxena Zerynthia polyxena Fish Barbus meridionalis Barbus meridionalis Fish Cobitis taenia Cobitis taenia Fish Coregonus spp. Coregonus albula Fish Cottus gobio Cottus gobio Zerynthia polyxena Zerynthia cassandra Barbus balcanicus Barbus caninus Barbus carpathicus Barbus meridionalis Barbus peloponnesius Barbus petenyi Barbus rebeli Cobitis elongatoides Cobitis strumicae Cobitis tanaitica Cobitis pontica Coregonus albula Coregonus fontanae Coregonus lucinensis Coregonus trybomi Coregonus vandesius Cottus gobio Cottus aturi Cottus duranii Cottus haemusi Cottus hispaniolensis Cottus koshewnikowi Cottus metae Cottus microstomus Separate reports for both newly recognised species. Z. polyxena was recently divided in two species; populations North to Po river belong to Z. polyxena, South of Po river to Z. cassandra (Dapporto, ) For reporting joint report B. balcanicus, B. petenyi and B. carpathicus under the technical term Barbus meridionalis all others. Separate reports for B. meridionalis s.str., B.caninus and B. peloponnesius B. meridionalis is restricted to northern Iberian Peninsula and southern France. B.caninus is endemic to northern Adriatic basin. B. peloponnesius is restricted Peloponnesus peninsula and western Greece. The morphological distinction of B. balcanicus, B. petenyi and B. carpathicus is not possible and the species are recognised based on the molecular markers. On top of that these species have sympatric occurrence and the taxonomy of this group in some parts of natural range is unclear (Kottelat and Freyhof 2007) 15 No change in comparison to the previous reporting period. Joint report for Cobitis taenia Complex Separate reports for all currently recognised species Current taxonomy recognizes several species within C. albula complex (Kottelat and Freyhof 2007). All have restricted distribution and the half of the Member States provided already optional separate reports following the current taxonomy. Separate report for Cottus aturi, Cottus duranii, Cottus hispaniolensis, Cottus rondeleti, Cottus metae, Cottus sabaudicus, Cottus scaturigo, Cottus transsilvaniae Joint report for other species Cottus haemusi, Cottus microstomus, Cottus koshewnikowi, Cottus perifretum, Cottus rhenanus, Cottus gobio s.str. under the technical term Cottus gobio all others. 13 Audisio P., H. Brustel, G, M. Carpaneto, G. Coletti, E. Mancini, M. Trizzino, G. Antonini, A. de Biase Data on molecular taxonomy and genetic diversification of the European Hermit beetles, a species complex of endangered insects (Coleoptera: Scarabeidae, Cetoniinae, Osmoderma J Zool Syst Evol Res 47 (1), Dapporto L., Speciation in Mediterranean refugia and post-glacial expansion of Zerynthia polyxena (Lepidotera, Papilionidae). J. Zool. Syst. Evol. Res., 48: Kottelat, M. and J. Freyhof, Handbook of European freshwater fishes. Publications Kottelat, Cornol and Freyhof, Berlin. 646 pp. 9

10 Fish Eudontomyzon spp. Eudontomyzon mariae Fish Lampetra planeri Lampetra planeri Fish Leuciscus souffia Leuciscus souffia Fish Rhodeus sericeus amarus Rhodeus sericeus amarus Fish Rutilus lemmingii Rutilus lemmingii Cottus perifretum Cottus rhenanus Cottus rondeleti Cottus sabaudicus Cottus scaturigo Cottus transsilvaniae Eudontomyzon mariae Eudontomyzon vladykovi Lampetra planeri Lampetra lusitanica Lampetra auremensis Lampetra alavariensis Telestes souffia Telestes muticellus Rhodeus amarus Rhodeus meridionalis Iberochondrostoma lemmingii Achondrostoma salamantinum Iberochondrostoma oretanum Separate reports for both newly recognised species Joint report for newly recognised species the name Lampetra planeri Lampetra lusitanica, Lampetra auremensis, Lampetra alavariensis are endemic to Portugal. Separate reports for both newly recognised species The previous subsepcies Leuciscus souffia muticellus (occuring in Italy) is recently recognised as a full species. (Kottelat & Freyhof 2007).The species can be distinguished based on morphological characters. Separate reports for both newly recognised species. Previous subspecies Rhodeus sericeus amarus is according to the current taxonomic knowledge represented in Europe by two distinct species. R. amarus (occurring widely in EU) and R. meridionalis (described from Vardar river and recently known to occur more widely in Greece and marginally in Bulgaria). GR provided separate report for R. meridionalis for the previous reporting period. Separate reports for all newly recognised species. Two endemic species were described from the populations Rutilus lemmingii in Spain by Doadrio and Carmona (2003) 16 and Doadrio and Elvira (2007) Doadrio, I. and Carmona, J. A., A NEW SPECIES OF THE GENUS CHONDROSTOMA AGASSIZ, 1832 (ACTINOPTERYGII, CYPRINIDAE) FROM THE IBERIAN PENINSULA. Graellsia, 59(1): Doadrio, I. and B. Elvira, A new species of the genus Achondrostoma Robalo, Almada, Levy and Doadrio, 2007 (Actynopterigii, Cyprinidae) from Western Spain. Graellsia 63(2):

11 Fish Rutilus macrolepidotus Rutilus macrolepidotus Fish Sabanejewia aurata Sabanejewia aurata Fish Salmo macrostigma Salmo cetti Amphibians Alytes obstetricans Alytes obstetricans Reptiles Ablepharus kitaibelii Ablepharus kitaibelii Amphibians Bombina variegata Bombina variegata Achondrostoma oligolepis Achondrostoma occidentale Sabanejewia balcanica Sabanejewia baltica Sabanejewia bulgarica Sabanejewia vallachica Salmo ghigii Salmo cetti Alytes obstetricans Alytes dickhilleni Ablepharus kitaibelii Ablepharus budaki Bombina variegata Bombina pachypus Separate reports for both newly recognised species. New species Chondrostoma occidentale was described in Robalo et al. (2005) 18 corresponding to the southernmost populations of Ch. oligolepis (Rutilus macrolepidotus). Separate reports for all newly recognised species. Several subspecies of this species have been recently elevated to the species status (S. balcanica, S. baltica, S. vallachica, S.bulgarica). S. aurata (the name listed in the Directive) does not occur in the EU (Kottelat and Freyhof 2007). Although Kottelat and Freyhof (2007) point out at problems of differentiation of species in Danube drainage (S. balcanica, S. vallachica, S.bulgarica ) the ecological differentiation seems possible. Two species occurring in Bulgaria are assessed separately in the Red data book. They inhabits different stretches of rivers, Sabanejewia balcanica occurs in middle reaches of Danube tributaries and Sabanejewia bulgarica inhabits Danube Joint report. for both S. ghigii and S. cetti Some authors consider Salmo ghigii as a distinct species, but according to the Fishbase this is the synonym of Salmo cetti. Separate reports for both newly recognised species. New species Alytes dickhilleni endemic to south-eastern part of Iberian Peninsula was described in Arntzen & Garcia-Paris (1995) 19. Its specific status was also confirmed in later phylogenetical studies. Separate reports for both newly recognised species Separate reports for both newly recognised species Bombina pachypus (endemic to southern Italy) was recently distinguished from Bombina variegata (Lanza and Vanni ; Canestrelli et al ). Although it is still considered as a subspecies by some authors e.g. Hofman et al in line with Catalogue of Life and IUCN 23 the separate report is proposed for this species. 18 Robalo, J. I., Almada,V. C., C. Sousa Santos, C., Moreira, M. I. and I. Doadrio I., NEW SPECIES OF THE GENUS CHONDROSTOMA AGASSIZ, 1832 (ACTYNOPTERIGII, CYPRINIDAE) FROM WESTERN PORTUGAL.Graellsia, 61(1): Arntzen, J.W. & Garcıa-Parıs, M. (1995) Morphological and allozyme studies of midwife toads (Genus Alytes), including the description of two new taxa from Spain. Contributions to Zoology, 65, Lanza, B., Andreone, F., Bologna, M.A., Corti, C. and Razzetti, E Fauna d'italia Amphibia. Vol. XLII. Edizioni Calderini de Il Sole 24 ORE Editoria Specializzta S.r.l., Bologna. 21 Canestrelli D, Cimmaruta R, Costantini V, Nascetti G (2006)Genetic diversity and phylogeography of the Apennine yellowbellied toad Bombina pachypus, with implications for conservation. Molecular Ecology, 15, Hofman, S., Spolsky, C., Uzzell, T., Cogălniceanu, D., Babik, W. and Szymura, J Phylogeography of the fire-bellied toads, Bombina: independent Pleistocene histories inferred from mitochondrial genomes. Molecular Ecology 16:

12 Amphibians Bufo viridis Bufo viridis Amphibians Discoglossus galganoi (including Discoglossus jeanneae ) Discoglossus galganoi Discoglossus jeanneae Amphibians Euproctus asper Euproctus asper Amphibians Hyla arborea Hyla arborea Bufo viridis Bufotes boulengeri Bufotes balearicus Bufotes siculus Discoglossus galganoi galganoi Discoglossus galganoi jeanneae Calotriton asper Calotriton arnoldi Hyla arborea Hyla orientalis Hyla molleri Hyla intermedia For reporting joint report B. viridis and B. balearicus under the name Bufo viridis Complex. Separate reports for B. siculus and B. boulengeri New species B. balearicus, B. siculus, B. boulangeri were described by Stöck et al based on molecular markers. There is clear genetic evidence that the Sicilian populations and population from Lampedusa island belong to a separate species (B. siculus, B. boulangeri) (MS comments). B. balearicus and B. viridis were distinguished based on molecular markers and further research is needed in order to define geographical limits of these two species. Joint reports for both recognised species/subspecies under the name Discoglossus galganoi MS comments: Two species of Discoglossus that in past were considered separate species are merged in a single species with two subspecies: Discoglossus galganoi galganoi and Discoglossus galganoi jeanneae, both endemic to the Iberian peninsula. Separate reports for both newly recognised species New species endemic to Iberian peninsula was described by Carranza and Amat Separate reports for H. molleri and H. intermedia. For reporting joint report for H. arborea and H. orientalis Recent genetic studies (Nascetti et al ) suggest that the Italian population of treefrog should be considered as a distinct species Hyla intermedia endemic to Italy with one small population occurring in Slovenia 27. Stöck et al elevated several subspecies of Hyla arborea, including Hyla molleri, to the species rank. The results of this study were further confirmed by Barth et al The new species occurs in Iberian Peninsula, where H. arborea is absent and in Aquitaine, where it was in past confused with H. meridionalis. The results of the study of Stöck et al further suggest that the European treefrog is represented by two species Hyla arborea and Hyla orientalis. These species are only distinguished based on molecular markers and further research is needed in order to define geographical limits and allow for separate assessment of the status. 23 Franco Andreone, Claudia Corti, Roberto Sindaco, Antonio Romano, Filippo Giachi, Stefano Vanni, Giovanni Delfino Bombina pachypus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Downloaded on 16 February Stöck, M., Sicilia, A., Belfiore, N., Buckley, D., Lo Brutto, S., Lo Valvo, M. and Arculeo, M Post-Messinian evolutionary relationships across the Sicilian channel: Mitochondrial and nuclear markers link a new green toad from Sicily to African relatives. BMC Evolutionary Biology 56(8): doi: / Carranza, S and Amat, F Taxonomy, biogeography and evolution of Euproctus (Amphibia: Salamandridae), with the resurrection of the genus Calotriton and the description of a new endemic species from the Iberian Peninsula. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 145: Nascetti, G., Lanza, B. and Bullini, L Genetic data support the specific status of the Italian treefrog (Amphibia: Anura: Hylidae). Amphibia-Reptilia: Franco Andreone, Benedikt Schmidt, Milan Vogrin, Claudia Corti, Roberto Sindaco, Antonio Romano Hyla intermedia. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Downloaded on 16 February Stöck M., Dubey S., Klütsch C., Litvinchuk S., Scheidt U., Perrin N Mitochondrial and nuclear phylogeny of circum-mediterranean tree frogs from the Hyla arborea group. Mol. Phylogenet. Evol., 49: Barth A., Galán P., Donaire D., González de la Vega J. P., Pabijan M. & Vences M Mitochondrial uniformity in populations of the treefrog Hyla molleri across the Iberian Peninsula. Amphibia-Reptilia, 32:

13 Amphibians Rana temporaria Rana temporaria Rana pyrenaica Rana temporaria Separate reports for both R. pyrenaica and R. temporaria MS comments: Spain suggested the addition of Rana pyrenaica linked to the HD species Rana temporaria. New species, Rana pyrenaica, was discovered and described from Pyrenees by Serra-Cobo, Later phylogenetical studies 31 showed; that the species is phylogenetically related to Rana temporaria. The link of Rana pyrenaica and the Annex V species Rana temporaria is not clear. Amphibians Amphibians Amphibians Salamandrina terdigitata Speleomantes imperialis Triturus marmoratus Salamandrina terdigitata Speleomantes imperialis Triturus marmoratus Reptiles Chalcides viridianus Chalcides viridianus Salamandrina terdigitata Salamandrina perspicillata Speleomantes imperialis Speleomantes sarrabusensis Triturus marmoratus Triturus pygmaeus Chalcides viridianus Chalcides coeruleopunctatus Joint reports for both species under the name Salamandrina terdigitata. Within Salamandrina terdigitata new species endemic to central and northern peninsular Italy, S. perspicillata, was recognised by Canestrelli et al (2006) 32. Although Salamandrina perspicillata can be definitively distinguished from S. terdigitata mainly using genetical markers, the distinction based on morphological character is giving very good results. 33 Separate reports for both newly recognised species. Previous subspecies of Speleomantes imperialis was elevated to species status by Carranza et al. (2008) 34. Separate reports for both newly recognised species. The species rank of Triturus marmoratus pygmaeus endemic to southern Iberian Peninsula was confirmed by Garcia-Paris et la The species status was contested by some authors, but later the species status was confirmed by molecular study of Espregueira Themudo & Arntzen Triturus pygmaeus is treated as a valid speices in Catalogue of life 37. Separate reports for both newly recognised species Former subspecies Chalcides viridianus coeruleopunctatus was recently elevated to the species status. 30 Serra-Cobo, J. (1993). Descripción de una nueva especie europea de rana parda (Amphibia, Anura, Ranidae). Alytes, 11: Veith M., Vences, M., Vieites, D. R., Nieto-Román, S., Palanca, A. (2002). Genetic differentiation and population structure within the Spanish common frogs (Rana temporaria complex; Ranidae, Amphibia). Folia Zoologica, 51 (2): Canestrelli, D., Zangari, F., and Nascetti, G. (2006). ''Genetic evidence for two distinct species within the Italian endemic species Salamandrina terdigitata (Bonnaterre, 1789) (Amphibia: Urodela: Salamandridae).'' Herpetological Journal, 16, AmphibiaWeb: Information on amphibian biology and conservation. [web application] Berkeley, California: AmphibiaWeb. Available: (Accessed: Feb 17, 2016). 34 Carranza S., A. Romano, E. N. Arnold, G. Sotgiu 2008 Biogeography and evolution of European cave salamanders, Hydromantes (Urodela: Plethodontidae), inferred from mtdna sequences Journal of Biogeography (J. Biogeogr.) 35, García-París, M., Arano, B. and Herrero, P Molecular characterisation of the contact zone between Triturus pygmaeus and T. marmoratus (Caudata: Salamandridae) in central Spain and their taxonomic assessment. Revista Espanola de Herpetologia: Espregueira Themudo, G., and Arntzen, J. W Molecular identification of marbled newts and a justification of the Triturus marmoratus and T. pygmaeus species status. Herpetological Journal 17: (consulted on 17th February 2016) 13

14 Reptiles Lacerta viridis Lacerta viridis Reptiles Lacerta monticola Lacerta monticola Reptiles Podarcis wagleriana Podarcis wagleriana Mammals Mammals All other Microchiroptera All other Microchiroptera Eptesicus bottae Eptesicus serotinus Mammals Myotis blythii Myotis blythii Lacerta viridis Lacerta bilineata Iberolacerta monticola Iberolacerta cyreni Iberolacerta galani Iberolacerta martinezricai Podarcis wagleriana Podarcis raffonei Eptesicus anatolicus Eptesicus serotinus Eptesicus isabellinus Myotis oxygnathus Myotis blythii Mammals Myotis blythii Myotis blythii Myotis punicus Separate reports for both newly recognised species Recently the specific status of two species L. viridis and L. bilineata has been confirmed by molecular studies (Böhme et al ) Both species have distinct natural ranges in the most of the Europe and have a different IUCN threat status. The geographical differentiation remains to be resolved in a small part of their range (northern Italy and Slovenia) Separate reports for all newly recognised species According to the overview of the recent changes in the taxonomy of reptiles, Speybroeck three new species have been described within the Iberian genus Iberolacerta from the previous range of I. monticola. Newly described species are endemic to southern Spain and have restricted distribution. Separate reports for both newly recognised species. Podarcis raffonei, critically endangered lizard endemic to Aeolian islands was elevated to the species status. Replaces Eptesicus bottae. MS comments : Eptesicus bottae does not occur within the EU (Cyprus and Rhodos island) and should be replaced with Eptesicus anatolicus Separate reports for both newly recognised species Ibanez et al described from the southern Iberian Peninsula morphologically and genetically distinct species E. isabellinus. Joint report was provided for the previous reporting period mainly due to very recent split. For the reporting period separate assessments should be made. No change. Only report for Myotis blythii is expected Some authors (Ruedi and Mayer ) consider Myotis oxygnathus as a distinct species. Its specific status is however not widely recognised (IUCN 42 ) In the Art 17 checklist the species Myotis punicus was erroneously considered as Annex IV species. For the reporting its status should be corrected to Annex II and IV. 38 Böhme, M. U.; Fritz, U.; Kotenko, T.; Dzukic, G.; Ljubisavljevic, K.; Tzankov, N. & Berendonk, T. U. (2007). Phylogeography and cryptic variation within the Lacerta viridis complex (Lacertidae, Reptilia). - Zoologica Scripta, 36: DOI: /j x 39 Speybroeck J Species list of the Euroepan herpetofauna a tentative update. Podarcis 8(1/2), IBÁNEZ C., J. L. GARCÍA-MUDARRA, M. RUEDI, B. STADELMANN, J. JUSTE The Iberian contribution to cryptic diversity in European bats Acta Chiropterologica, 8(2): Ruedi, M. and Mayer, F Molecular systematics of bats of the genus Myotis (Vespertilionidae) suggests deterministic ecomorphological convergences. Mol. Phylogen. Evol. 21: Tony Hutson, Friederike Spitzenberger, Javier Juste, Stéphane Aulagnier, Juan Tomas Alcaldé, Zoltan Nagy, Ioan Coroiu Myotis blythii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Downloaded on 16 February

15 Mammals All other Microchiroptera Myotis nattereri Myotis nattereri Myotis escalerai For reporting joint report for M. nattereri and M. escalerai M. escalerai was described as the full species ecologically, morphologically and genetically distinct from M. natterii by Ibanez et al The species occurs in Pyrenees. According to the MS Comments these are cryptic taxa whose differentiation is only assured by genetic analyses and more studies are needed in order to distinguish these species in the field. 43 IBÁNEZ C., J. L. GARCÍA-MUDARRA, M. RUEDI, B. STADELMANN, J. JUSTE The Iberian contribution to cryptic diversity in European bats Acta Chiropterologica, 8(2):

16 EUROPEAN TOPIC CENTRE ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY Annex 2 Comments provided by members of the Expert Group on Reporting on the documents Principles for updating the Article 17 checklist for species and version 1 of the Introduction to the revised Art.17 checklist for species and habitats ETC/BD received feedbacks from 13 Member States and European Habitats Forum (EHF) on the documents Principles for updating the Article 17 checklist for species and version 1 of the Introduction to the revised Art.17 checklist for species and habitats. However Hungary, Poland, Sweden and EHF indicated they had no comments on the introductory documents. Table 3 shows comments provided by Member States related to the Art. 17 checklist. Remarks related to Taxonomical issues are presented separately in Table 4. Table 3. Comments provided by Member States related to documents related to the Art. 17 checklist Comment related on General General General Review of categories of occurrence Delivered by Ireland Portugal The United Kingdom Bulgaria Comment content Ireland has included in its previous comments that we have an extensive marine survey which will run into 2017 and which may prompt revision of the categorization of some marine mammals on the Art17 checklist. We realized that the checklist for the report and the checklist of the Natura 2000 database do not match.we believe that both are out of date regarding the nomenclature of some species, particularly some fish, invertebrates and. Taking into consideration that we did not receive a checklist to analyze a complete proposal for the next report , we decided to reply only to the specific issues raised in the documents sent ( 01/12/2015), and wait for the proposal of the complete checklist for the next report to check for eventual other cases (some already proposed during the preparation of the checklist in the previous report). It would be helpful to see more detail with regard to the consideration of cetaceans and whether they fall within the intended definition of vagrant species or not. The text for Occasionally Occurring Species (OCC) states: Nor should it be used for species which occur as vagrant but with important abundance (e.g. marine mammals or turtles in many regions). These species should be listed under the category PRE regular. We would like clarification on how important abundance is to be determined (e.g. will it be a particular proportion of the population within a biogeographic region, or perhaps the global population)? s Is it necessary to include in check-list species, which are extinct? For example check-list for BG includes only one extinct species (Acipenser nudiventris with category PEX). There are other species for BG, which are also extinct (Acipenser sturio, Vipera ursinii, Monachus monachus, Leucorrhinia pectoralis, Caldesia parnassifolia, Liparis loeselii),

17 Review of categories of occurrence Review of categories of occurrence Review of categories of occurrence Split/Joint report but they are not included in this list. What is the idea of these categories of occurrence, especially PEX, EX? Are they only for information? What is expected for species, which is included in the check-list with category PEX or EX? Some species are included in the check list with category SR, but for them there is no report (for BG - Colias myrmidone, Arytrura musculus, Pseudophilotes bavius, Barbus strumicae, Colchicum arenarium). For other with category SR there is reports (for example Triturus dobrogicus). Does the member states preliminary inform ETC/EC, for which species will have reports? France Agrees with occurrence categories proposed and listed in Table 1. Germany The Netherlands Belgium Definitions of categories of occurrence are much better. We suggest to add a clear statement for which category a full, a partial (as far as possible as e.g. in OCC) or no report is requested (especially for newly combined categories as EX/MAR (for 2013 report for EX a report was necessary and MAR was reported within the neighboring region). Proposal = OK Difficulty of the morphological characterization of Cottus perifretum and Cottus rhenanus in Flanders (N.-Belgium) The taxonomy of the species Cottus gobio has been revised recently and there are two indigenous Cottus species recognised in Flanders: C. perifretum and C. rhenanus. On grounds of a genetic characterization C. perifretum was confined to the Scheldt basin while C. rhenanus occurred only in the Meuse basin (Volckaert et al. 2002). However, recent genetic analysis (Joachim Mergeay, unpublished data) shows that several Cottus specimens caught in the Meuse basin are genetically 60 to 100% identical to species from the Scheldt basin. Recent invasion of an invasive lineage of C. perifretum from the Lower Meuse (NL) can be an explanation for these results (Nolte et al. 2005, Dorenbosch et al. 2008). Also morphological characterization remains very difficult. Nolte et al. (2005, 2006) and Dorenbosch et al. (2008) describe a method (categories of prickles) to distinguish between small specimens (< 6 cm SL) of both Cottus species but in Flanders this method does not give accurate characterizations with e.g. typical, genetically screened, C. perifretum specimens showing hardly any prickling on the body. Therefore, further research is needed on how to morphologically characterize both species and to define the (changing) distribution in Flanders (Belgium). References Dorenbosch, M., N. van Kessel, F. Spikmans, J. Kranenbarg & B. Crombaghs Voorkomen van rivier- en beekdonderpad in Nederland. Natuurbalans - Limes Divergens BV / RAVON, Nijmegen. 44 pp. Nolte AW, Freyhof J, Stemshorn KC, Tautz D (2005) An invasive lineage of sculpins, Cottus sp. (Pisces, Teleostei) in the Rhine with new habitat adaptations has originated by hybridization between old phylogeographic groups. Proc. Roy. Soc. Ser. B 272: Nolte AW, Freyhof J, Tautz D (2006) When invaders meet locally adapted types: rapid moulding of hybrid zones between sculpins (Cottus, Pisces) in the Rhine system. Mol. Ecol. 15: Volckaert FAM, Hänfling B, Hellemans B, Carvalho GR (2002). Timing of the population dynamics of bullhead Cottus gobio (Teleostei : Cottidae) during the Pleistocene. Journal of Evolutionary Biology 15(6):

18 Split/Joint report Bulgaria - A separate report for Pelophylax bedriagae - Adding the species Cobitis pontica to the joint report "Cobitis taenia hybrid complex" - We suggest a separate report for Hirudo verbena it is proved with genetic investigations that this is the species present in Bulgaria, and it was wrongly determined till now as Hirudo medicinalis. - The joint report named "Lacerta bilineata" is not suitable form for us - it is proved that the species Lacerta bilineata is not present in Bulgaria and the priority name has to be Lacerta viridis - We suggest to add the species Cobitis pontica to the joint report "Cobitis taenia hybrid complex" - We suggest joint report for Cottus spp., as in previous reporting period - for Bulgaria this concerns Cottus gobio and Cottus haemusi their ranges are unclear. Split/Joint report France Approves the recommendations for separate/joint reports for the species listed in the ETC document. Split/Joint report Germany Table 1: List of species where separate reports are requested DE would prefer to deliver furthermore a joint report for Cottus gobio s.l.. This concerns in Germany Cottus perifretum, C. rhenanus and C. microstomus, C. gobio s.str.; other Cottus species do not occur in Germany. Separate reports for Cottus perifretum and C. rhenanus are not feasible, because of a major lack of data, which would need large scale genetic investigation and possibly remain unknown also in future. Cottus microstomus occurs in DE only in two little brooks. Whether a separate report is necessary for this species should be decided by neighbouring countries with more occurrences. Also for Osmoderma eremita DE would retain a joint report. Among scientific experts discussion to split in single species is still going on and we suggest awaiting clarification, before separation of reports. The IUCN Redlist states: Distribution limits of these different forms remain poorly resolved, but for the purpose of these assessments we follow the approximate distribution limits outlined in Audisio et al. (2007, 2008). There is ongoing debate as to whether or not these forms constitute valid species, but for the purpose of this assessment we are assessing each form separately. ( Furthermore the distribution of O. eremita s.str. and O. barnabita in Germany is unclear and would need large scale genetic investigation. Additions to the list (Table 1): Furthermore as in the previous reporting period single reports are necessary for Acipenser sturio and A. oxyrinchus; Romanogobio belingi and R. vladykovi. Table 2: Proposals for joint reports DE can deliver a single report for Coregonus bavaricus and C. holsatus (both only occurring in DE). For C. renke a separate report may be difficult to realize, therefore we support a joint report with other species of C. lavaretus complex. 18