DISTRIBUTION AND CONSERVATION STATUS OF THE EICHWALD'S TOAD, Bufo eichwaldi IN AZERBAIJAN

Distribution of Bufo eichwaldi in Azerbaijan was analyzed with the modeling application in Maxent. Based on 36 localities of the species, we developed a species distribution model for identification of suitable habitats. Two variables (annual precipitation and environmental habitat heterogeneity) accounted for 70% of the predicted range. The range of the species is limited in the East by a coast of the Caspian Sea, in the North and the West by dray steppes. In the South, the range crosses the state boundary and extends into northwestern Iran. All localities of this species are ranged from -26 m to 1000 m above sea level. The following main factors infuse the decline of B. eichwaldi populations: introduction of fishes and raccoons, destruction and contamination of suitable breeding ponds, and deforestation.