Dataset and script for "<b>Development of an environmental and fecal DNA tool for monitoring the spatial distribution and fish predation </b><b>on</b><b> the </b><b>mountain</b><b> amphibian </b><b><i>Calotriton asper</i></b>"

Gathering ecological knowledge about species <b>with cryptic behavior</b> can be challenging and strongly depends on human, financial, and logistical resources. Yet, this is essential for the conservation of threatened and/or <b>elusive</b> species and wildlife management. The use of DNA tools is emerging as an efficient solution to overcome these constraints. Here, we developed specific primers and a droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) protocol for the quantitative detection of the endemic amphibian <i>Calotriton asper</i> in freshwater and fish feces. After successful in silico validation of the developed primers, we tested their validity in the wild. We first confirmed the presence of <i>C. asper</i> in 8 out of 13 sites deemed climatically suitable for the species, although it had never been observed there before. Then, we sampled brown trout (<i>Salmo trutta</i>) living in sympatry with <i>C. asper</i> and, through fish feces analyses, confirmed that brown trout are predators of <i>C. asper</i>. These molecular tools proved efficient for monitoring (i) <b>elusive</b> species such as <i>C. asper</i> in the wild, allowing for better characterization of their current distribution and habitat use, and (ii) predation events by fish, which might be a significant pressure on low-density and isolated <i>C. asper</i> populations. We provide a valuable, low-cost, and complementary tool for environmental managers and scientists that should help improve the development of fine-tuned conservation and management plans for <i>C. asper</i>.The dataset and script allow for running the SDM described in this MS