Spectacled Salamander

The Spectacled Salamander (Salamandrina terdigitata) is a species of salamander in the Salamandridae family. It is found only in Italy. Its natural habitats are temperate forests, rivers, and freshwater marshes. It is threatened by habitat loss.

This species is found only in the Apennine Range in humid valleys and shady, overgrown hillsides at altitudes between 200m and 1,200m. It is considered an important indicator species of environmental health. It has 4 toes on the hind feet rather than the 5 normally found in other salamanders and newts. It has a warty, brownish-black back, and a rather ribbed appearance on its flanks, with a creamy white, V-shaped mark between the eyes. The underside is covered in black and white markings, with pinkish-red underside to legs and tail.

The Spectacled Salamander is most often found near streams, in dense vegetation, under leaf litter, dead wood or stones. It is nocturnal and terrestrial. s. When threatened, it raises its tail and legs (unkenreflex), displaying its red underside as a deterrent. Similar warning displays (aposematism) is shown by newts, the Apennine Yellow-bellied Toad and the Spotted Salamander. Mating takes place on land in spring. Clutches contain about 30-50 eggs and the larvae take 2-3 months to develop. The Spectacled Salamander female enters water only to lay eggs, while the male, once metamorphosis has taken place, avoids water altogether.

The IUCN Red List follows Mattoccia et al. (2005) and Canestrelli et al. (2006) in separating Salamandrina perspicillata from S. terdigitata.

References

• Andreone, F. 2004. Salamandrina terdigitata. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 09 July 2007.

New Holland European Reptile and Amphibian guide.