Barcelona is hosting the Herpetological Congress until Saturday, bringing together 160 scientists who study reptiles and amphibians at the Fòrum (Natural Sciences Museum). The event combines the 18th Iberian Congress of Herpetology, the 22nd Spanish Congress and the 19th Catalan Herpetological Conference, with 67 oral presentations and 59 posters.
Eudald Pujol, president of the Catalan Herpetology Society, says there’s “a sense of alarm” about reptiles and amphibians. “We’re at a complex moment with many species in decline,” he explained. The congress highlighted numerous invasive species, including a “mind-blowing” snake invasion in Ibiza that’s pushed the Pitiusas wall lizard to the brink of extinction.
Other topics discussed include predation by feral cats, species poaching, emerging diseases like the amphibian-killing fungus, and the effects of climate change and drought. Research shows climate change is reducing amphibians’ immune capacity.
Pujol also highlighted research on lizard colouration for communication and using genomics to analyse populations.
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