European regional assessment: Not Applicable (NA)
EU 27 regional assessment: Not Applicable (NA)

This species is considered Not Applicable for the European Red List as it is only known in the EU 27 from an unconfirmed record from the Spanish North African territories.

In the European Red List assessment region, Yus Ramos and Cabo Hernandez (1986) mentioned the presence of Pelobates cultripes in the Melilla region (Spain), which might refer to P. varaldii, though this record is far outside the known range of any Pelobates species and requires confirmation.

This species is known only from fragmented localised areas on the coastal plains of north-western Morocco (Pasteur and Bons 1959, Dorda 1984, Salvador 1996, Schleich et al. 1996, Busack et al. 1985, Bons and Geniez 1996). The northernmost location is the town of Larache, while the southernmost population is known from the north-eastern part of the salt marshes of Oualida (Crochet and Geniez 2003). The species may range further south than Oualidia, and this possible range extension requires further investigation. P. varaldii is not found above 350 m asl.

There is no information on the population status of this species, although it is believed to be declining.

Habitat usage in Melilla, if present, is not known. It is generally fossorial, inhabiting lowland sandy uncultivated soils, sometimes in the vicinity of cork woodlands. The spawning sites are most often still temporary waterbodies (such as dayas and rain puddles). It does not occur in anthropogenically modified habitats.

Threats in Melilla, if the species is present, are not known.

Globally, the major threats include habitat loss and degradation due to the conversion of land to livestock pasture, and the pollution of stagnant waters with livestock droppings (Schleich et al. 1996). In addition, arable agriculture may be leading to the loss or disturbance of the sandy substrate soil habitat, with which the species is strongly associated. Populations of the species are now often restricted to temporary ponds, and those remaining in permanent waterbodies are being eliminated through the presence of predatory fishes (specifically Gambusia holbrooki).

The species is not used or traded.

Presence of the species in the Spanish North African territories requires confirmation.