Flagship species in Hawraman region: Critically endangered newt, Neurergus derjugini Nesterov, 1916 (Urodela: Salamandridae)

Flagship species in Hawraman region: Critically endangered newt, Neurergus derjugini Nesterov, 1916 (Urodela: Salamandridae)

Introduce of the critically endangered species as flagship species and symbol for a defined special region is necessary, until attract public awareness or financial support for its conservation. About 50 localities from 70 occurrence records valid of the Kurdistan newt, Neurergus derjugini Nesterov, 1916 in Iran and Iraq is correlate to the Hawraman region. Hence, based on 10 international criteria the Kurdistan newt can be a good candidate for flagship species until encouraging a wider level of support and commitment for success of many conservation organizations, local communities, and non-governmental organization (NGO) for conservation of the Kurdistan newt in the Hawraman region.