Present distribution of the common frog, Rana temporaria and the moor frog, R. arvalis (Amphibia, Anura) in the “old” Moscow

Abstract

The common frog (Rana temporaria) and the moor frog (R. arvalis) lived in all green areas of Moscow until the end of the 20th century. The reduction in the area of woody vegetation, the destruction of breeding sites and introduction of the invasive fish Perccottus glenii contributed to the extinction of these amphibians in most of the city. The paper provides information on the distribution of brown frogs in Moscow based on the results of monitoring in 2020. R. temporaria was found in 37 localities in the Northwestern (6 points), Northern (3 points), Northeastern (1 point), Eastern (9 points), Southeastern (1 point), Southern (5 points), Southwestern (5 points) and Western (7 points) administrative districts. Eleven finds (29.7%) are located outside of specially protected natural areas. Most of the species’ habitats (30 points, or 81.1%) are isolated from other populations. R. arvalis was found in 14 localities in the Northwestern (3 points), Northern (3 points), Eastern (4 points), Southwestern (1 point) and Western (3 points) administrative districts of Moscow. Of all the finds noted, three ones (21.4%) are located outside of specially protected natural areas. The vast majority of the habitats of the species (10 points, or 71.4%) are isolated.