Captive breeding and reintroduction programs remain a powerful but divisive tool for management of threatened species, with a proven potential to avoid extinction, but low long-term success rates and high resource requirements. Monitoring the results of reintroductions is critical to be able to assess short- and long-term success, adjusting management decisions as new information becomes available. In this study, we assessed the first 15years of the captive breeding and restocking program for the European pond turtle Emys orbicularis in Liguria, northern Italy. We estimated survival of released turtles by modelling mark-recapture monitoring data. We then used those estimates to update our prior expectations about long-term outcomes, and to adjust management decisions about the age of individuals to release. Modelling results suggest released turtles had sufficiently high survival, matching prior expectations, such that local extinction has been averted in the short-term. Survival was similar among candidate age classes for releases, suggesting the release of younger individuals can provide positive outcomes while reducing management costs. On the other hand, survival varied among sites, indicating the need for ongoing in-situ habitat management to ensure long-term persistence. Moreover, the late onset of sexual maturity in the species means reproduction of released animals cannot yet be determined with certainty. Captive breeding and reintroduction programs normally require long-term efforts; therefore, focused monitoring that is clearly linked to decision-making is necessary to continually refine and adjust management strategies.

The ecological status of 203 amphibian aquatic breeding sites, selected from the national database of the Societas Herpetologica Italica (SHI), was surveyed in the period 2008-2009 to assess their ecological status. Sites were randomly extracted, after stratification by the three biogeographical regions present in Italy, besides Sardinia and Sicily. The field surveys, conducted by professionals, amateurs and volunteers, showed that since 1979 about 11% of the sites were destroyed or no more suitable for the reproduction of amphibians that bred in the same site in the past. The percentage of destroyed or altered sites was 8%, both in the Mediterranean and Alpine biogeographical regions, and 15% in the Continental one. However, there were no statistical significant differences among the regions, suggesting that the rate of amphibian site loss was similar in different parts of Italy. This nation-wide monitoring project demonstrated that in Italy, during the last thirty years, a relevant proportion of amphibian breeding habitats has been destroyed or altered. The main cause of site alteration were land reclamation and water extraction.

La lucertola ocellata Timon lepidus (Daudin, 1802) è diffuso nella penisola iberica, nel sud della Francia e nella Liguria occidentale e centrale (Mateo e Cheylan, 1997), regione che costituisce il limite orientale della sua distribuzione (Camerano, 1885; Bruno, 1982; Ferri et al., 1991). In Italia, l’areale della specie è frammentato (doria e Salvidio, 1994) con popolazioni isolate, spesso minacciate dalla continua alterazione degli habitat idonei e in particolare dagli incendi e dalla continua edificazione delle aree costiere (Salvidio et al., 2004). L’interesse biogeografico e conservazionistico di queste popolazioni al limite di areale è pertanto evidente, ma i dati sulla biologia di questo lacertide in Italia sono ancora scarsi e le informazioni riportate da Corti e Lo Cascio (1999) si riferiscono solo alle popolazioni spagnole e francesi.

In Italy, the parsley frog (Pelodytes punctatus) readies the eastern limit of its distribution range along the Mediterranean coast in Liguria and in southern Piedmont. The status of the Italian populations was analysed on the basis of a complete survey of known breeding sites. Since 1993. the reproduction of P. punctatus has been observed in only 15 sites, several of which were discovered during the monitoring project. Spawning sites were mainly small temporary pools, small streams and artificial tanks in Mediterranean habitats. The number of breeding females was estimated indirectly counting egg strings both in spring and autumn, from 2000 to 2002. Populations appeared isolated and made up of an extremely low number of reproductive females (range 2–19. mean 9). In Italy, P. punctatus populations show a fragmented distribution and appear threatened mainly by the drying up of pools or habitat destruction. For each reproductive site, the conservation status was evaluated, and a general conservation strategy was proposed. Active management of breeding sites, with the maintenance and/or creation of small temporary water bodies should be planned. The collaboration of private landowners and local administrations was requested, and in one case, active management of a relevant breeding site obtained.

The ocellated lizard (Timon lepidus), which reaches its eastern range limit in Italy, is distributed along the coastal areas of Liguria. A field survey from 1999 to 2002, verified the status of the Italian populations. The observation of this species is very difficult in Liguria because of the scattered populations and their scarce density. Some new localities were discovered both in the Imperia and Savona provinces, and others were confirmed. An analysis of previous known records was also carried out. T. lepidus is distributed in this area from sea level to about 670 m a.s.l. in several primary or derived Mediterranean habitats such as maquis, pine open woodland and olive groves. The species has a wide phenology, and sightings have been recorded from January to November, though it is particularly active from April to September. The conservation status of the sites and their ecological suitability for the species were evaluated, and a general conservation strategy proposed.