Few relict animal species have been recorded from Armenia. One sub-species of fish, a roach ('Armenian karmrakn', Rutilus rutilus schelkovnikovi) appears to be a relict of Tertiary origin, which has been preserved within the Metsamor basin. Two birds, the white-winged scoter (Melanitta fusca) and the boreal owl (Aegolius funereus), are also considered to be relict species.

A number of vertebrate species are listed in the Red Data Book for Armenia, and many more are now considered to be undergoing decline. Studies of around 316 endemic species and sub-species, have revealed that around 100 of these are rare or declining.

Among the vertebrates species of key concern include a number of sub-species of fish, which have been threatened by declines in the water level of Lake Sevan and by over-fishing. For example, 'winter bakhtak' (Salmo ischchan), which previously made up 30% of Sevan trout stocks, has now practically disappeared, while 'bojak' (S. ischchan danilewskii) is also rarely found now. Spawning of 'summer bakhtak' (S. ischchan aestivalis) has been disrupted by both the decline in the level of Lake Sevan, and the damming of rivers, leading to declines in this sub-species, while populations of 'gegharkuni' (S. ishkhan gegarkuni) are currently maintained through artificial breeding. 'Sevan beghlou' (Barbus lacerta goktschaicus) declined following the changes in Lake Sevan (leading to habitat loss) and this species is now listed in the Red Data Book of Armenia.

Many Armenian reptiles are threatened (including a number of endemics and regional endemics). Threatened species include the Caucasian rat snake (Elaphe hohenackeri), Armenian viper (Vipera raddei), and a lidless skink (Ablepharus chernovi) among others. The population of the racerunner (Eremias arguta transcaucasica) numbering 100 individuals, in the Sevan basin, is the only one in the Caucasus. A number of semi-desert and alpine bird species are considered threatened, vulnerable or extinct, while status of others has not yet been determined. Research many of these species is limited, but such birds appear to be under increasing threat. Among mammals, the distribution and population of Armenian mouflon (Ovis orientalis gmelinii) have declined as a result of habitat loss and poaching. This species has undergone a significant range reduction during the last 20 years, when it has disappeared from the Ararat Valley, and is now restricted to sites in southern Armenia (Khosrov Reserve and adjacent areas).

A national Red Data Book for Animals has also been published, and the Armenian Red Data Book for invertebrates is in preparation. From around 17,500 species of invertebrate and vertebrates recorded in Armenia, approximately 300 are considered to be rare or declining. Preparation of the Red Data Book for invertebrates indicates that over a hundred species will be listed, and 48 species occurring in Armenia are also listed in the RDB of the Former Soviet Union. A total of 97 vertebrates are currently listed in the Armenian RDB, of which 39 are also listed in the RDB of the Former Soviet Union, and a number are considered internationally threatened (according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals; Table 3.6). However, updating the Armenian RDB would be likely to lead to the inclusion of many more species (perhaps doubling the existing list). The status, distribution, and even scientific names, of many species have changed sine the Armenian RDB was last published. A number of species occurring in isolated populations were not included in the book. Furthermore, the recent economic crisis and natural disasters have severely impacted many species, and legislation has not been effective in protecting wildlife resources. A number of species are now thought to be on the verge of extinction in Armenia.

Table 3.6 Number of species found in Armenia listed in the International Red List of Threatened Animals (IUCN, 1996), including threatened species, and those of lower risk or where insufficient data is available.

Among the species listed in the Armenian RDB are 15 species of amphibians and reptiles and 18 mammal species or sub-species (Table 3.7). The distribution of a number of threatened reptile species is shown in Map 9. The following mammals appear most at risk (Map 10): Mehely's horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus mehelyi), European free-tailed bat (Tadarida teniotis), long-eared hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus), marbled polecat (Vormela peregusna), European otter (Lutra lutra), brown bear (Ursus arctos), manul (Felis manul), the Asian wild sheep (Ovis orientalis gmelini), and wild goat (Capra aegagrus). In addition, the striped hyaena (Hyaena hyaena), and the Caucasian birch mouse (Sicista caucasica) which populations are more or less extinct in Armenia.

Table 3.7 Species of amphibians, reptiles and mammals recorded in the Red Data Books (RDB) of Armenia and the Former Soviet Union (FSU), and also in the International Red List of Threatened Animals (RL).