Gold-striped salamander
Chioglossa lusitanica
The Gold Stripe Salamander ( Chioglossa lusitanica ) is a salamander of the family of Real salamanders and is the only species of the genus Chioglossa.
Features
It is a delicate country salamander with a strikingly long tail. This may account for up to two-thirds of the total length of up to 16 centimeters and serves as a nutrient storage. In case of danger it can be dropped in Lizard manner. The slender, smooth-skinned hull has laterally 10 to 12 ridges weakly developed furrow. Protruding, large " frog eyes " and clearly pronounced ear glands show up on the elongate, front rounded head.
On an almost black color, there are two golden yellow to copper-colored ( in pups: reddish ) longitudinal strips, which are separated by a dark dorsal stripe in the middle. You pull out of the ear glands on the back, join at the tail and go further connected to the tail tip. The underside is dark gray, light blue to light gray at the throat
Occurrence and habitat
This Salamander is housed in a relatively small area in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. Specifically, the Spanish provinces of Asturias and Galicia and the north-western and central Portugal colonized. He lives in mountainous regions with Atlantic climate ( mild winters, high precipitation, where more than 1000 mm per year) at altitudes up to 1200 meters. There deciduous forests are inhabited by stream valleys. With the fire salamander, which is preferably similar habitats, the species is often associated.
Way of life
The gold stripe salamanders is active in rainy weather and at night, in caves during the day; otherwise he hides under stones, plant roots and deadwood. In dry summers put the animals in constantly damp shelters also a week-long periods of inactivity. Such hiding places also serve as wintering in December and January, but which is not obligatory.
Food animals, especially spiders and insects, captured the salamander with his tongue. To this end, he moves towards the prey and hurls it the tongue is provided with a pincer-like pressure-sensitive device out. Larger animals are packed directly with the pines. The visual sense plays an important role in hunting and is very strong for Schwanzlurchverhältnisse.
From predators, including other species of amphibians and various species of snakes like the viper snake ( Natrix maura ) and the Nordiberische adder (Vipera seoanei ) belong to the gold stripe salamander flees quickly like a lizard. In the water he eel moves sinuously. The larvae there are eaten by dragonfly larvae.
Reproduction
The pairing that takes place depending on the area to be quite different times, takes place on land, such as in damp caves and tunnels. Here, the male pushes under the female and holds the partner clutching with his front legs. Finally, it is probably from a spermatophore, which is then taken up by the female with the cloaca. Later, a female deduct up to 20 bright yellow eggs with jelly coat. This happens to rocks under water or on roots; on land is possible with constantly damp conditions oviposition.
The hatchlings appear after about two months of fetal development and then an average of 13 millimeters long. In their metamorphosis into land animals, they measure 40 to 48 millimeters. Sometimes they spend the winter before in their waters and then reach seven inches in length.
Threats and conservation
Due to deforestation, urban sprawl and pollution and channelization of streams, the species is threatened in their existence.
Legal protection status
- Fauna-Flora -Habitat Directive (FFH Directive): Annexes 2 and 4 (there are specially establishing protected areas / strictly protected )
- Federal Species Protection Ordinance ( BArtSchV ): specially protected