Global warming threatens critically endangered Taurus frog

Türkiye's unique and critically endangered Taurus frog is under threat from serious habitat loss caused by various factors, including climate change-related global warming, according to an expert. Thanks to climatic and geographical conditions, the fauna of Türkiye is abundant and extremely varied and includes many rare and endemic species. Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Mert Karış, an expert on herpetology, the branch of zoology concerned with reptiles and amphibians, said the first member of the species was discovered over 120 years ago in the areas of the Karagöl and Çiniligöl lakes, located in the Bolkar Mountains. The unique species lives only in areas of Niğde province at an altitude of 2,500-3,000 meters (8,202-9,842 feet) and some small puddles within the borders of Mersin province, said Karış, who is also a lecturer at Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli University. 'Until this drying period, the Taurus frog must complete the breeding process in the water. The larvae have to go terrestrial and go through metamorphosis,' he said, warning that otherwise, there is a risk of losing all of the populations living out of Karagöl and Çiniligöl. 'In the 1990s, the residents' unnatural release of carps in Karagöl and Çiniligöl became a serious problem for Taurus frogs in the early 2000s as carps are predators and the eggs of Taurus frogs are among their favorite foods,' he said. 'With more comprehensive efforts, the lakes should be freed from non-native species,' said Karış, adding that transhumance, off-road and trekking activities, camping, and climbing are other things that negatively affect the species and its habitats. The Taurus frog is marked as 'CR' (critically endangered) on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of threatened species. The species is also important for ecotourism as many people come from abroad to view and photograph it, he said, stressing that this also should be under control as some foreigners can do sample collecting and hurt this endemic and unique species. He concluded that about 50,000 Taurus frogs remain in the wild, living in five or six populations.