Atlas of the amphibians of the Åland Islands

Authors

• Tom Hoogesteger Nåtö Biological Station
• Asko Ijäs
• Torsten Stjernberg Finnish Museum of Natural History

Abstract

Based on a survey conducted between 2020 and 2022, distribution data of the amphibians of the Åland Islands is presented. A total of 758 water bodies were surveyed all around the Åland Islands, including small and remote islands in the outer archipelago. The results indicate that the most widespread amphibian species in the Åland Islands are the smooth newt (Lissotriton vulgaris) and the common toad (Bufo bufo). Perhaps the most striking result was that the great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) is a lot more widespread than previously known, whereas the common frog (Rana temporaria) is less common than what might be expected. The moor frog (Rana arvalis) is widespread but unevenly distributed, being abundant in some regions but absent in others. The pool frog (Pelophylax lessonae), present both on the Swedish side of the Åland sea, and on the SW coast of mainland Finland, was not found in the Åland Islands.