Assessing the sanitary and demographic status of the critically endangered Speleomantes ambrosii

Ambrosi's Cave Salamander (Speleomantes ambrosii), a Critically Endangered amphibian endemic to an area of 500 km² in NW-Italy, is threatened by habitat alteration, climate change, and the pathogen Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal). We evaluated the status of the most exposed cave populations, combining standardized monitoring with disease surveillance. Using a dependent-double-observer approach, we estimated salamander abundance across several sites and assessed population trend over time. We also screened 45 skin swabs for the presence of Bsal. No salamander tested positive for Bsal, confirming, for now, its absence from the surveyed populations. Abundance was variable among sites, and two caves showed significantly lower estimates than previously reported, suggesting possible local declines. Our research highlights the necessity of standardized protocols to accurately assess population status and provides a baseline for the conservation of S. ambrosii. Ongoing surveys will be fundamental to determine if the observed declines indicate natural fluctuations or potential conservation issues.