Distribution and morphological characterization of the endemic Italian salamandersSalamandrina perspicillata(Savi, 1821) andS. terdigitata(Bonnaterre, 1789) (Caudata: Salamandridae)

Abstract

The Italian endemic genus Salamandrina was recently determined to be polytypic since two species, Salamandrina perspicillata and S. terdigitata, were recognized using both mitochondrial and nuclear genetic markers. However, data on their range is very scanty and no morphological traits are available to distinguish between these two taxa. A thorough field survey was carried out to detect and to sample new sites in areas in which Salamandrina remained unrecorded and to sample populations expected to occur in the documented range. Specimens were analyzed for variation of three mitochondrial DNA partial sequences of 12S and 16S ribosomal RNAs and cytochrome b genes. Attribution of individuals to either of the two species was therefore made on the basis of their haplotypes. Here we provide relevant information on the distribution of the two species, which were also found in areas where Salamandrina had previously been unrecorded, i.e. in the eastern Basilicata, in the region of Apulia and within the wide area which separated the two species. In the latter zone, a small area of sympatry between the two species was found. Furthermore, we analyzed the dorsal coloration pattern and size-related characters of the two species using Classification and Regression Tree analysis (CART), the results of which provided the first account of the morphological differences between Salamandrina perspicillata and S. terdigitata. The southern species, S. terdigitata, is smaller in size than S. perspicillata and differs in its coloration, mainly due to the red color on the dorsal surface of its tail.

Ecogeographic variation of body size in the spectacled salamanders (Salamandrina): influence of genetic structure and local factors

“…, 2006): the northern spectacled salamander, S. perspicillata (Savi, 1821), and the southern spectacled salamander, S. terdigitata (Bonnaterre, 1789). Detailed information on the distribution of both species, inferred from genetic evidence, and their morphological differences, is available in Romano et al. (2009a).…”

“…For populations for which no first‐hand data on mtDNA sequences were available, the haplogroup was inferred by matching the population location and the known genetic profile of nearby populations, following Mattoccia et al. (2005), Romano (2007) and Romano et al. (2009a).…”

“…, 2007). As for many other cryptic species, recent analyses show that the two Salamandrina species can be identified also on the basis of morphology (Romano et al. , 2009a; Angelini et al.…”

What goes in does not come out: different non-lethal dietary methods give contradictory interpretation of prey selectivity in amphibians

“…At the study site Salamandrina perspicillata is the only salamander observed. This species is endemic to central and northern Italy (Romano et al, 2009a) and is found, along the Apennine, mainly in shady and damp areas but also in Mediterranean forests. The adults are terrestrial and females go to the water only to lay eggs (Lanza, 1983) and they do not feed during the aquatic phase (Vanni, 1981).…”

From the experience of LIFE+ ManFor C.BD to the Manual of Best Practices in Sustainable Forest Management

“…The Spectacled salamanders belonging to the genus Salamandrina are two Italian endemic species, occurring in hilly and mountain forested areas, as well as in Mediterranean maquis (Angelini et al, 2007). Salamandrina perspicillata (Savi, 1821; Figure 1) occurs in Northern and Central Apennines while S. terdigitata (Bonnaterre, 1789) occurs in southern Italy (Romano et al, 2009). The spectacled salamanders (both under the name of S. terdigitata because their split is relatively recent: Mattoccia et al, 2005, Nascetti et al, 2005 are included in the annex II and IV of the Habitats Directive.…”