Declining populations of apennine yellow‐bellied toad<i>bombina pachypus</i>in the northern apennines (italy): Is<i>batrachochytrium dendrobatidis</i>the main cause?

Abstract The first results of the monitoring, from 2000 to 2002, and conservation of a few yellow‐bellied toad populations found in the northern parts of the Apennines are presented. In the province of Bologna this species is particularly threatened, while around the region of Romagna it appears to be less so. Some factors were identified that could have a big effect on the breeding success and recruitment of the population in the province of Bologna. About 100 individuals were raised from eggs, larvae, and newly emerged juveniles collected from seven sites between 2000–2001: some of the groups showed a high mortality. The laboratory tests demonstrated that the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis was the cause.