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Lyciasalamandra flavimembris (Marmaris Salamander / Marmaris Semenderi)

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Lyciasalamandra flavimembris (Marmaris  Salamander / Marmaris Semenderi)


Lyciasalamandra flavimembris (Marmaris  Salamander / Marmaris Semenderi) [Young Female / Genç Dişi] from Marmaris, MUĞLA - 14.02.2011.

This terrestrial tailed-amphibian (urodelan) is restricted to the area from Marmaris to the vicinity of Ula (including Gokova Special Protected Area) located in the northeast, Muğla province, Turkey. It ranges from 80 m up to 620 m asl along with in a north-south direction of about 30 km.It was formerly considered to be a subspecies of Mertensiella lushchani. It has been elevated to species level, and assigned to the genus Lyciasalamandra.

Marmaris salamanderhas a total length of 15 cm in adult individuals. Eyelids and ear glands (paratoids) are light yellow. On dorsum the ground color is dark brown, with irregular small silvery-white to pale yellow spots. These spots can be concentrated in the flank region to a narrow, interrupted band, i.e. a broad, coherent, pigmented lateral band does not exist: the flanks and dorsum has silvery white, mostly light –transparent, sometimes tinged slightly yellow spots. Limbs and tail vary from pale yellowish to brownish-orange in color, with bright spots. Venter is light pink or orange and does not bear any spot.

It differs from all other similar –in dark dorsum colouration with numerous small bright spots-Turkish salamander species and subspecies (i.e. L. l. luschani, L. l. finikensis and L. atifi) by its predominantly non-pigmented, translucent flank colouring.

It is associated with rocky limestone outcrops, and is often found in marquis scrub or pine woodlands (and not in modified habitats). The species is viviparous, producing one or two fully metamorphosed young; the gestation period is about one year. Within its range, the major potential threat to this species is habitat loss caused by forest fires, and over-collection for scientific purposes. Currently, there is only limited habitat loss taking place, since the human population in its range is generally low, and there is little tourism in the area where it is found.

References:1. Göçmen, B. (Unpub. results). The results of herpetological trips. 2. Mutz, T. and Steinfartz, S. (1995). Mertensiella luschani flavimembris ssp. n., eine neue unterart des Lykischen salamanders aus der Turkei (Caudata: Salamandridae). Salamandra, 31: 137-148. 3. Başoğlu, M. & Atatür, M.(1974). The subspecific division of the Lycian Salamander, Mertensiella luschani (Steindachner) in Southwestern Anatolia. IstanbulÜniv. Fen Fak. Mec. Seri B, 39 (3-4): 147-155. 4. Başoğlu, M. & Atatür, M. (1975). A new population of the Lycian Salamander, .Mertensiella luschani (Steindachner) from Finike in Southwestern Anatolia. IstanbulÜniv. Fen Fak. Mec. Seri B, 40 (1-4): 89-93. 5. Veith, M. & Steinfartz, S. (2004). When non-monophyly results in taxonomic consequences – the case Mertensiella within the Salamandridae (Amphibia: Urodela). Salamandra, 40 (1): 67-80. 6. Budak, A. & Göçmen, B. (2005). Herpetology. Ege Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi Kitaplar Serisi, No. 194, Ege Üniversitesi Basimevi, Bornova-Izmir, 226 pp. [2nd Edition, 2008]. 7. Franzen, M., Bußmann, M., Kordges, T. & Thiesmeier, B. (2008). Die Amphibien und Reptilien der Südwest-Turkei. Supplement der Zeitschrift für Feldherpetologie 14, Laurenti Verlag, Bielefeld, Germany, 328pp.

Author Bayram GÖÇMEN
Created on Monday 14 February 2011
Posted on Saturday 19 February 2011
Tags Muğla, TURKEY / TÜRKİYE
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