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Lanza's Alpine Salamander

Salamandra lanzai Nascetti, Andreone, Capula & Bullini 1988

Description

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It is quite similar to the Alpine Salamander (Salamandra atra atra), but differs from this in some morphological peculiarities, among which the size (maximum TL: 160 mm in S. lanzai versus 140 in S. atra), morphology of the tail’s tip (rounded vs. pointed), paravertebral glands (absent vs. present). The head is quite flattened. Dorsal and lateral skin black, without pattern. Small web-like skin structure between digits.It is one of the European amphibians with the narrow distribution. For this it is indispensable that special conservation actions will be run in the future. It is very "strange" that this species, characterised by a narrow distribution, alpine repartition (it is the only "true" Alpine endemic vertebrate), a peculiar reproductive mode and singular natural history traits, has not yet been included in important and "political" redlists. It is NOT an asterisked species in the HABITAT DIRECTIVE!! Urgent status changements are necessary. Up to now it has never been found in syntopy with Salamandra salamandra.

References

  • Andreone, F. (1992). ''Observations on the territorial and reproductive behaviour of Salamandra lanzai and considerations about its protection (Amphibia: Salamandridae).'' British Herpetological Society Bulletin, 39, 31-33.
  • Andreone, F. and Luiselli, L. (2000). ''The Italian batrachofauna and its conservation status: a statistical assessment.'' Biological Conservation, 96, 197-208.
  • Andreone, F. and Sindaco, R. (1999). Erpetologia del Piemonte e della Valle d’Aosta. Atlante degli Anfibi e dei Rettili. Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali, Torino (Italy).
  • Andreone, F., Clima, V., and De Michelis, S. (1999). ''On the ecology of Salamandra lanzai Nascetti, Andreone, Capula, Bullini, 1988. Size, movements, and influence of climate on activity in a population of the upper Po Valley (Caudata: Salamandridae).'' Herpetozoa, 12(1/2), 3-10.
  • Andreone, F., De Michelis, S., and Clima, V. (1996). ''Preferenze ambientali in una popolazione di Salamandra lanzai.'' Studi Trentini di Scienze Naturali - Acta Biologica, 71, 137-143.
  • Andreone, F., De Michelis, S., and Clima, V. (1999). ''A montane urodele and its feeding habits: Salamandra lanzai (Amphibia, Urodela, Salamandridae) in the Alps of northwestern Italy.'' Italian Journal of Zoology, 66, 45-49.
  • Andreone, F., Miaud, C., Bergò, P., Doglio, S., Stocco, P., Ribéron, A., and Muratet, P. (2002). ''Living at high altitude: testing the natural history traits upon the conservation of Salamandra lanzai.'' Italian Journal of Zoology, (in press).
  • Andreone, F., Miaud, C., Bergó, P., Bovero, S., Doglio, S., Guyétant, R, Ribéron, A.and Stocco, P. (2002). ''Research and conservation activity on Salamandra lanzai in Italy and France (Urodela, Salamandridae).'' Proceedings of Third Conference Safeguard the Amphibians, Lugano, June 23-24, 2000. V. Ferri , eds., Cogecstre Edizioni, Penne, 9-19.
  • De Michelis, S., Andreone, F., Sindaco, R., and Clima, V. (1999). ''Aspetti ecologici e struttura di una popolazione di Salamandra lanzai (Urodela: Salamandridae) in alta Val Pellice (Provincia di Torino).'' Rivista Piemontese di Storia Naturale, 20, 241-248.
  • Miaud, C., Andreone, F., Ribéron, A., De Michelis, S., Clima, V., Castanet, J., Francillon-Vieillot, H., and Guyétant, R. (2001). ''Variations in age, size at maturity and gestation duration among two neighbouring populations of the alpine salamander (Salamandra lanzai).'' Journal of Zoology, London, (254), 251-260.
  • Nascetti, G., Andreone, F., Capula, M. and Bullini, L. (1988). ''A new Salamandra species from Southwestern Alps.'' Bollettino del Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali di Torino, 6, 617-638.
  • Razzeti, E., Bonini, L., and Andreone, F. (2001). ''Lista ragionata di nomi comuni degli anfibi e dei rettili italiani.'' Italian Journal of Zoology, 68, 243-259.
  • Ribéron, A., Sotiriou, E., Miaud, C., Andreone, F., and Taberlet, P. (2001). ''Lack of genetic diversity in Salamandra lanzai revealed by cytochrome b gene sequences.'' Copeia, 2002(1), 229-232.

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Distribution and Habitat

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The range is restricted with a few localities in a narrow area of Cottian Alps around the Viso Massif, either in SE France (Guil Valley), or in NW Italy (Po, Germanasca, Pellice valleys). An old museum sample (Museum La Specola, Firenze)suggests its historical presence in the Maritime Alps. The species lives mainly on alpine meadows and slopes, often next to brooks. The lowest localities are positioned in mixed and coniferous forests. Altitude range goes from 1200 to about 2600 m. The record of 2800 m, as reported in some recent reports, together with the species' occurrence in the Chisone Valley (Italy), still need to be confirmed.
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Life History, Abundance, Activity, and Special Behaviors

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The species become active during the Alpine summer, from about the beginning of May to October. During this period it is mainly nocturnal, although on the occasion of heavy rains it becomes diurnal. The species appears to be quite territorial, and old individuals show fidelity to the refuges (stones, old roots, etc.). When the weather is not good, the individuals hide under rocks or in deep crevices. S. lanzai is quite long-aged, and it can reach or overpass 20 years of age. The diet consists in a wide range of terrestrial invertebrates, varying upon the period of the season. Little is known about its breeding habits, although observations seem to indicate that the species copulate at the end of the summer. The pregnancy lasts at least 2 years, and the number of salamanderlets is variable from 1 to 6. The youngs are immediately adapted to the terrestrial life.
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Life History, Abundance, Activity, and Special Behaviors

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This species is typical of high altitudes, and for this it seemed to be quite safe in terms of habitat alteration. Anyhow, recent observations at the lowest sites (Germanasca Valley, Piedmont) showed very heavy works in and around the stream bed, with the consequent heavy alteration of the neighbouring meadows where a conspicuous population lives. F. Andreone's feeling is that this population has become highly threatened. Nex year (2003) a study will be carried out at this site to understand if there have been remarkable changements in the population abundance. At another Italian site the important summer car traffic seems to threaten the population. Anyhow, the other populations seem to be quite safe, and the species in its whole does not seem to suffer, although it is necessary to carry out regular surveys to establish in detail its distribution and population density.
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Relation to Humans

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There is no special interactions between local communities and S. lanzai. The species is sometimes known and appreciated as valuable endemism.
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Biology

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Little is known of the ecology of this unusual alpine amphibian. It is active during summer, from May to October when it is typically nocturnal or crepuscular. In times of heavy rain it may become active during the day (2). It is a territorial species (4) and feeds on a broad range of land invertebrates, sometimes also living in the water (6). In periods of bad weather, individuals take refuge under rocks or in crevices (2). Very little is known of the reproductive behaviour of this salamander. They are thought to mate towards the end of summer. Between one and six young are produced, after a gestation period of up to three years (5). There is no 'tadpole' stage; instead, the young salamanders are immediately adapted to terrestrial life (2). Sexual maturity is reached at around eight years of age (4) and individuals can live for over 20 years (7).
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Conservation

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Surprisingly, this unique and vulnerable European alpine salamander is not included in important European conservation legislation or Red Lists, including the Habitats Directive. Regular monitoring and further research into this species are essential in order to inform future conservation actions (2) (8).
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Description

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The large alpine salamander was first described as recently as 1988 (3). It is a little-known species, that is generally similar in appearance to the alpine salamander (Salamandra atra). It differs in its larger size (2), the fact that it has a rounded tail tip, whereas the alpine salamander has a pointed tail, and the absence of glandular pores on the back (2). It is black in colour, has a flattened head and web-like skin between the digits (3).
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Habitat

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Found in alpine meadows, typically close to brooks (2). Its elevation distribution goes from about 1200 up to 2600 m (5).
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Range

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This species occurs in a restricted range consisting of just a few sites in the southwestern Alps of south-east France and north-west Italy (Cottian Alps) (2).
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Status

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This species is classified as Vulnerable (VU C2a) by the IUCN Red List 2003 (1).
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Threats

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The main threats facing this vulnerable species are thought to include habitat loss, drainage of habitats, disturbance by vehicles, over-collecting and genetic problems resulting from the very small sizes of populations (2). The small geographic distribution of this species means that it is very vulnerable to chance events, such as extreme weather. In some cases, erosion by alpine streams can be a problem for the survivorship of some populations (8).
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Lanza's alpine salamander

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Lanza's alpine salamander or the large alpine salamander (Salamandra lanzai) is a species of salamander in the family Salamandridae, found in France and Italy.[2] Its natural habitats are forests, grasslands, and pasturelands, all of which are temperate. It is threatened by habitat loss and potentially in the future by the fungal disease Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans.

History

It was described by Nascetti, Andreone, Capula and Bullini in 1988. The generic name is from Greek which translates as "salamander", and the specific name is for Benedetto Lanza, an Italian herpetologist.[2]

Description

The species has a flat head[3] and measures between 115 and 160 millimetres (4.5 and 6.3 in) in length.[2] Its tail's tip is either rounded or pointed, with or without paravertebral glands.[3] Due to its black colour, it is similar to the other alpine salamander (Salamandra atra).[4]

Distribution

The species can be found in the Cottian Alps near Monviso, and in Guil Valley of southeastern France. It can also be found in northwestern Italy, the Germanasca, Pellice Valleys, and the Po River. It is doubtful in Chisone Valley. An old sample of the species in Museo La Specola in Florence suggests it is also found in the Maritime Alps.[3]

Ecology

They feed on various insects, spiders, and various species of slugs.[2]

Habitat

They are found at elevations of 1,200–2,600 m (3,900–8,500 ft), with the maximum altitude of 2,800 m (9,200 ft).[3] In France, the species can be found at 1,800–2,300 metres (5,900–7,500 ft), while in Italy it is found at 1,450–2,100 metres (4,760–6,890 ft) in altitude. A subalpine prairie is considered to be home for them. It also lives in fresh humid woods and forests and on the edges of mountainous streams.[2]

Mating and reproduction

They start mating on land, from May to October. During that time, they become nocturnal, but during heavy rains, they may become diurnal. Mating happens on land mostly in May, but it depends on the climate of any given year. They give birth from two to six young, which are born completely formed, after their mating act is successfully fulfilled, which is as long as three to four years.[2]

Toxicology

They are toxic species. When under threat, they release a liquid toxin through the small openings on their bodies. The liquid is strong and may cause irritation if in contact with the eyes. They warn predators by raising their bodies and dipping their heads downwards when threatened.[2]

Predators

Various birds and vipers are a threat to Lanza's alpine salamander.[2]

Conservation

This species is common within its very limited range, but due to its small distribution, it was previously classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. However, in 2022 it was precautionarily listed as critically endangered by the IUCN due to potential threats from the fungal disease Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans, which has been recorded in nearby regions of Germany. If the fungus is allowed to spread naturally, it may be at risk of extinction within the next 40 years, and possibly sooner if humans introduce the disease nearby.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2022). "Salamandra lanzai". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022: e.T19845A89699123.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "Lanza's Alpine Salamander, Salamandra lanzai". Reptiles and Amphibiens de France. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  3. ^ a b c d "Salamandra lanzai". Retrieved February 27, 2013.
  4. ^ "Salamandra lanzai Nascetti, Andreone, Capula & Bullini, 1988 Lanza's Alpine Salamander". Retrieved February 27, 2013.

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Lanza's alpine salamander: Brief Summary

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Lanza's alpine salamander or the large alpine salamander (Salamandra lanzai) is a species of salamander in the family Salamandridae, found in France and Italy. Its natural habitats are forests, grasslands, and pasturelands, all of which are temperate. It is threatened by habitat loss and potentially in the future by the fungal disease Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans.

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