This is a restricted concept of this species following the split of the broader concept into this and Pelobates vespertinus, which has been removed from synonymy of this species (Litvinchuk et al. 2013, Suryadnaya 2014).

Following genetic analysis, some subpopulations from Russia and those from Kazakhstan have now been assigned to Pelobates vespertinus which had been removed from synonymy of this species (Suryadnaya 2014). There is a hybrid zone in northeastern Ukraine and the Russian province of Kursk between the range of this species and P. vespertinus.

Global and European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)
EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)

This European endemic is listed as Least Concern both globally and for the EU27 member states in view of its wide distribution, presumed large population, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough for listing in a threatened category.

This is a lowland species found throughout much of the plains and hilly regions of Europe, including from eastern Netherlands, eastern Belgium and eastern France, east through Germany, Denmark, Sweden (northern limits) and Central Europe and Eastern Europe to Russia. In the east, the contact zone with Pelobates vespertinus is well delineated from the Kursk region in Russia to the Black Sea coast (Dufresnes et al. 2019). It ranges from sea level up to 675 m asl. There is a very isolated subpopulation in Argenton-sur-Creuse in central France, and another isolated subpopulation (the endemic subspecies, Pelobates fuscus insubricus) in the Po Valley of northern Italy.

The species is common and widespread in the European part of the former Soviet Union. It is generally common in Poland. However, subpopulations are reported to be declining or rare in some European countries (e.g. Italy, Sweden, Denmark, Slovenia, Hungary, Germany and Estonia (Lacoste and Durrer 1999, Džukić et al. 2005, Eggert et al. 2006, Red Data Book of Estonia 2008). In Italy, there have been major declines in the last 10 years caused by urbanisation, and the species is thought to be on the brink of local extinction there and is conservation-dependent (F. Ficetola and R. Manenti pers. comm. September 2019). In the western parts of Germany the species major declines in the last 20 years are caused by intensification of agriculture (e.g. deep and frequent plowing; Schulte et al. 2016). It is extinct in Switzerland.

This species is mostly present in open areas, generally avoiding moist soils. It inhabits clear spaces in coniferous, deciduous and mixed forests (and their edges), groves, steppes, fields, meadows, sand dunes, heath land, gravel pits, parks and gardens. It may occur in modified habitats such as rice fields (in Italy). It is a highly specialised burrowing and nocturnal species, with a narrow ecological niche. Due to their secretive behaviour (nocturnal activity, weak underwater breeding call and cryptic coloration) their life histories are not well documented, and overall there is a scarcity of information (Cogălniceanu et al. 2013). Spawning sites are mostly permanent, small still waterbodies including ditches, ponds and lakes.

The species is sensitive to water quality and soil structure (Rannap et al. 2009). Tadpoles have a low tolerance to salinity, above 4‰ survival is impaired (Stănescu et al. 2013, Stănescu et al. 2017). Pollution of wetlands by industry, domestic sewage and agriculture (including eutrophication), drainage of breeding pools and introduction of predatory fishes and crayfish are major threats to the species. Alien fish species that can tolerate low levels of oxygen (e.g. mosquitofish, goldfish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish) represent an important threat to the survival of tadpoles. The species is also threatened by loss of terrestrial habitats due to transformation into arable land, reforestation urban development and transportation infrastructure development that increases mortality on roads [and off-road driving] (Europe Red List Assessment Workshop September 2019). Changes in land management also impact the species through intensification of agriculture (e.g. over-stocking of cattle, extensive use of pesticides and fertilisers), stocking with fish and over-use of salt as defrosting agent during winter. The species is also collected in small numbers for the pet trade.

Pelobates fuscus insubricus is a highly threatened subspecies. The existing subpopulations in northern Italy, that were previously considered as a distinct species, have suffered a strong decline recently. In some areas it is threatened by the introduced crayfish. Chytridiomycosis may also be a problem in the near future (if it is not already).

The species is collected in small numbers for the pet trade.

Conservation Actions In-Place
This species is present in many protected areas, and protected by national legislation in most countries in its range. It is listed on Appendix II of the Bern Convention, and there is an Action Plan for this species in the Bern Convention. It is listed on Annex IV and Pelobates fuscus insubricus is listed on Annex II of the EU Natural Habitats Directive as a priority species. The species is recorded in a number of national and sub-national Red Data Books and Lists (e.g. Near Threatened in Czechia - Chobot and Něměc 2017). In parts of this species' range, mitigation measures to reduce road kill have been established. A conservation programme is in place for the isolated subpopulation in central France. An action plan was prepared by Andreone (2001) for the Italian subpopulations. Several EU LIFE projects were also dedicated strictly to this species for the restoration of habitats and increasing subpopulation sizes in Italy, Germany, Estonia and Denmark. It benefits from pond creation and responds well to habitat restoration (Rannap et al. 2009, Magnus and Rannap 2019). In Sweden 99% of the subpopulation was lost between 1959–1989, however, the species is now recovering due to reintroduction and population augmentation. It is subject to ex situ conservation breeding programmes in Germany (ten Hagen et al. 2016) and the Netherlands (Crombaghs et al. 2015).

Conservation Needed
Subpopulations benefit from pond creation and respond well to habitat restoration, and these actions should continue.