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International audience; A continental population of the European leaf-toed gecko (Euleptes europaea) was studied from 1996 to 2000 in Central Liguria (NW Italy), to obtain data on demography, abundance and population trends. Each year in July, three night mark-recapture sessions were carried out to obtain data on population structure and abundance. The population structure of the European leaf-toed gecko was assessed on the basis of polymodal body-size frequency distributions, and the demographic structure was characterized by three well-separated size groups: juveniles ending their first year of life, subadults in their second year and mature individuals aged three or more. Growth appeared constant during the first two years, and then apparently decreased in the third year when functional sexual maturity was achieved in both sexes. The sex ratio of the reproductive population did not differ from unity and females were, on average, 5% larger than males. The physiological status of different age groups, assessed by a body condition index, did not show significant variations during the study. The observed stability of overall population size highlights the capacity of small and completely isolated colonies of the European leaf-toed gecko to persist for a long time, even in extremely simple habitats. However, the number of breeding adults showed large fluctuations, from 120 to 50 animals in different years, and count data suggested a downward trend in population size. Nevertheless, the statistical power of not reject ing the null hypothesis of "no change" (i.e.Type II error) was low, and a Monte Carlo simulation analysis showed that doubling the monitoring effort (i.e. 10 annual surveys with 30 sampling occasions) should be sufficient to detect a 10% decrease in population size with a power of >0.80. Without detailed population data from such intensive monitoring, isolated populations of E. europaea remain exposed to a high risk of extinction through stochastic and anthropogenic processes.

In Italy, the parsley frog ( Pelodytes punctatus) readies the eastern limit of its distribution range along the Mediterranean coast in Liguria and in southern Piedmont. The status of the Italian populations was analysed on the basis of a complete survey of known breeding sites. Since 1993. the reproduction of /'. punctatus has been observed in only 15 sites, several of which were discovered during the monitoring project. Spawning sites were mainly small temporary pools, small streams and artificial tanks in Mediterranean habitats. The number of breeding females was estimated indirectly counting egg strings both in .spring and autumn, from 2000 to 2002. Populations appeared isolated and made up of an extremely low number of reproductive females (range 2-19. mean 9). In Italy. /'. punctatus populations show a fragmented distribution and appear threatened mainly by the drying up of pools or habitat destruction. For each reproductive site, the conservation status was evaluated, and a general conservation strategy was proposed. Active management of breeding sites, with the maintenance and/or creation of small temporary water bodies should be planned. The collaboration of private landowners and local administrations was requested, and in one case, active management of a relevant breeding site obtained.