Synecology of the European common spadefoot toad, Pelobates fuscus (Laurenti, 1768) (Amphibia: Anura: Pelobatidae), in agroecosystems of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

The European common spadefoot toad (Pelobates fuscus) is a lowland, semi-fossorial and secretive anuran species with a narrow ecological niche. The southernmost border of its habitat reaches the northern parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Posavina region), where the species has lost the vast majority of its natural habitat, resulting in it being restricted to agroecosystems close to aquatic habitats. This paper describes the ecology of P. fuscus in such habitats – and generally in Bosnia and Herzegovina – for the first time. Two types of independent research were performed: (1) assessment of population density and microhabitat preferences along with habitat quality analysis (performed in three localities) and (2) a food preferences study and morphometry in one locality (Čardak, Modriča), where the largest known population of Pelobates fuscus in Bosnia and Herzegovina resides.