Caucasian salamander
The Caucasian Salamander ( Mertensiella caucasica ) is the only species in the genus Mertensiella. The few years ago also be arranged there Lycian Salamander is now out in seven species under the genus Lyciasalamandra.
The naming of the genus Mertensiella was in honor of the German herpetologist Robert Mertens.
Features
The up to 18 -inch-long Caucasus Salamander is a slender salamander with a relatively long, round in cross-section tail. The elongated head is characterized by significant Ohrdrüsenwülste and large " frog eyes " from. The trunk segment 12 to 13 constrictions ( Rippenwulste ). The animal is dark brown in color and has the back two mostly separate, golden yellow to copper-red longitudinal stripes, which combine to form a continuous longitudinal stripes on the tail. The tail length is about one and a half times greater than the head-body length.
The male has on the tail a " pseudo- penis " - a large, upward curved hump, which is used as an irritant organ during mating. In addition, it develops Bruns sealed Wielen on the upper arms.
Occurrence of life
The distribution area of the Caucasus salamander is restricted to the southeast of the Black Sea on the territory of Transcaucasia, ranging from Trabzon ( Turkey) until after Borjomi in Georgia.
The species lives in moist beech forests with abundant herbaceous growth, mosses and ferns in 400-2800 meters above sea level, but most often around 1000 m above sea level. The animals are often found in the splash zone of streams, but also under fallen trees.
The longest time of the year the Caucasian salamander lives hidden in the gaps and column system of the soil. From May to September, he is in the twilight and night hours, and in rainy weather aboveground active. He flees lizards way nimble and can deftly swim sinuously. As prey animals serve besides worms and snails also very moving amphipods.
In dangerous situations may exceptionally cancel the tail of the Caucasus Salamanders. The animal is then, however, not be more viable in the rule so that it would not be a about the lizards similar survival strategy.
Reproduction, individual development
Mating takes place in the cold shallow water of streams. The male wraps first prepared the hind legs of the female and later its front legs from below. The couple swims so some time in the water. Later, the female cloaca to the tail hump is first stimulated by lateral swinging movements and later by introducing into the sewer on land. After stopping the spermatophore on the ground, the male angled his lower body to the side, and the female cloaca descends to the seed carrier.
After the snow melts in April-May oviposition in underground cavities of watercourses takes place. The eggs are glued to rocks or water plants. The initially 35 mm long larvae feed primarily on small crustaceans and insect larvae. The young salamanders are 80 to 85 millimeters long in the metamorphosis after one to four years of larval development time.