Environmental Changes and Effects on a Population of Smooth Newt Lissotriton meridionalis (Boulenger, 1882) (Amphibia, Urodela) in a Mediterranean Woodland

The population of Lissotriton meridionalis in the area of “Bosco di Palo” Natural Park are monitored since 1995. From 2004 to 2005 in the area it was carried out a massive cutting of dead trees with evidence of alteration of the undergrowth. The study aims to verify, through the index of the population estimate, if the species has suffered changes in the size of the population following environmental changes. For the research were chosen three ponds in the wood and the data collection took place from the breeding season of 1995 – 1996 to 2014 – 2015, in each of the seasons was made an estimation of the population density. The data obtained are been compared in order to make assessments on the conservation status and persistence of the species in the site, also as a result of environmental changes suffered by “Bosco di Palo” Natural Park. The analysis of the population estimate, used in this work as an index of the conservation status of the species in the Park, confirms that, in the previous period and in the period following the die-off of trees and cutting plant health, we have substantially the same values of population size.