Anatolia Newt
VU

Anatolia Newt

Neurergus strauchii

Unknown

Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Sebastian Voitel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA)

Overview

Neurergus strauchii, the Anatolia newt or Strauch's spotted newt, is one of five species of salamander in the genus Neurergus. It is more specifically a newt, in the family Salamandridae, and is found only in Turkey. Its natural habitats are streams or small rivers, and the nearby forests or shrublands. It is threatened by habitat loss.

The Anatolia Newt faces significant threats from habitat degradation and water pollution in its limited mountain stream habitats across Turkey and neighboring regions. Dam construction, agricultural runoff, and urban development have fragmented and degraded the clear, cold water systems this species depends on for breeding and survival. Climate change poses additional risks by altering precipitation patterns and water temperatures in these sensitive high-altitude ecosystems.

Threat summary

Habitat

Mountain streams, springs, and associated rocky pools in forested areas at elevations between 500-2000 meters in the Anatolian region. The species requires clear, cold, well-oxygenated water with rocky substrates and adjacent terrestrial habitats with adequate moisture and cover.

Other threatened species in Salamandridae

Fuding Fire-bellied NewtCR

Fuding Fire-bellied Newt

Cynops fudingensis

Unknown
Blue-gray Fire-bellied NewtCR

Blue-gray Fire-bellied Newt

Cynops glaucus

Unknown
(Great or Northern) Crested NewtVU

(Great or Northern) Crested Newt

Triturus cristatus

Unknown
Caucasian SalamanderVU

Caucasian Salamander

Mertensiella caucasica

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Anatolia Newt classified as Vulnerable?
Anatolia Newt is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The Anatolia Newt faces significant threats from habitat degradation and water pollution in its limited mountain stream habitats across Turkey and neighboring regions. Dam construction, agricultural runoff, and urban development have fragmented and degraded the clear, cold water systems this species depends on for breeding and survival. Climate change poses additional risks by altering precipitation patterns and water temperatures in these sensitive high-altitude ecosystems.
Where does Anatolia Newt live?
Anatolia Newt occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Anatolia Newt?
The main threats to Anatolia Newt are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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