Two New Localities for Critically Endangered Kurdistan Newt, Neurergus derjugini Nesterov, 1916 (Caudata: Salamandridae) in Kurdistan Province, Western Iran and Problematic Taxonomic Status of this Species

Abstract

Neurergus derjugini is a mountain brook-dwelling newt which is distributed in the mid-Zagros Mountains in the border areas between Iran and Iraq. During extensive fieldwork in spring and summer 2016, two new localities were found for this endangered species in Kurdistan Province, western periphery of the Iranian Plateau. One locality is in Mariwan county and the other one is located in the extreme northwest of Baneh county. Both newly-found habitats are in relatively remote and lightly populated areas, increasing hopes for conservation of this valuable and critically endangered species.