Governmental Decree No. 71-N “On approval of Red Book of wild fauna species of Armenia”.

The present Red Data Book of the Republic of Armenia serves to help withstand the dangers faced now by biodiversity and to preserve the rare and endangered species. Information about population decline, range shrinkage, deterioration of living conditions and direct threats to survival suffices to put a species into the Red Data Book. The status assessment of all species and the assignment of status categories were done in full compliance with the internationally recognised criteria developed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN, 2007–2009, ver. 3.1). The process of evaluation also included the analysis of new knowledge that stockpiled during the 20 years that elapsed after the last Red Data Book. According to the regulations imposed on preparation of the Red Data Book of the RA, the draft version of this book was considered at the session of the Red Data Book Preparation Council and has received its positive resolution. On January 29, 2010 the Red Data Book of Animals of the RA was endorsed by the Government of the RA through its decision 71–N. The following status categories are assigned to the species listed in this Red Data Book: (a) Extinct species (EX). The taxon is considered extinct if there is no doubt that its last individual has disappeared. The taxon is assessed as extinct if continuous research within the known and/or tentative habitats throughout all historical range in different time frames (seasonal, annual, daily) did not record a single individual; (b) Regionally extinct species (RE). The taxon is considered regionally extinct if there is no doubt that its last individual in the region has disappeared. If the taxon used to regularly penetrate into the region in the past, it has also been reckoned regionally extinct provided the last individual has vanished from the region’s wild; (c) Critically endangered species (CR). The taxon is critically endangered if, at the highest probability, it fits any of the criteria (A–E) applicable to the category “Critically Endangered” and faces the highest imminent risk of extinction in the wild. (d) Endangered species (EN). The species is endangered if, at the highest probability, it fits any of the criteria (A–E) applicable to the category “Endangered” and faces a very high risk of extinction in the wild. € Vulnerable (VU). The species is vulnerable if, at the highest probability, it fits any of the criteria (A–E) applicable to the category “Vulnerable” and faces a high risk of extinction in the wild. The book covers 153 species of vertebrates, including 7 species of bony fishes (Osteichthyes), 2 species of amphibians (Amphibia), 19 species of reptiles (Reptilia), 96 species of birds (Aves) and 29 species of mammals (Mammalia). For the first time this edition also lists 155 species of invertebrates, of which there are 16 gastropods and 139 insects.