Population genetics for conservation of spadefoot toads, Pelobates fuscus, in Western and Central Europe

Despite extensive legislation aimed at conservation, European amphibians such as the common spadefoot toad (Pelobates fuscus (Laurenti, 1768)) exhibit alarming declines across large parts of its range. As knowledge about the genetic background of a species has become crucial for species conservation assessment, this study used newly developed microsatellite loci to investigate the genetic diversity and structure of P. fuscus.
Clustering revealed major groups that reflect postglacial colonization patterns. Additionally, we found contrasting patterns of genetic diversity across the 66 studied populations, reflecting the conservation status of the species in Europe and with marked genetic impoverishment across most populations in the northwestern part of the species’ distribution. Our findings provide genetic information on the conservation genetic status of the common spadefoot toad across Europe, emphasizing the need for urgent conservation efforts. We recommend further genetic monitoring, habitat restoration, and potential translocations to safeguard the species in the face of ongoing challenges.

Jul 23, 2025 version