Brown cave salamander

Genes cave salamander ( Atylodes genei )

Genes cave salamander ( Atylodes genei; syn: Speleomantes genei ) is a southern European salamander from the family Lots lung Salamander ( Plethodontidae ).

Features

Adult animals are up to 14 cm long. The tail of the salamander is relatively short, the head is broad and sets out clearly from the neck. The eyes protrude, the muzzle is blunt. Fingers and toes are short, rounded and connected to half of its length with tension skins.

The dorsal coloration is highly variable and may be yellowish, olivaceous or dark brown and be provided with light or dark spot drawing. The belly is yellowish or pale pink and can be dusted dark.

Dissemination

This species lives in the south-eastern Sardinia.

Way of life

Genes cave salamander comes in the mountains at altitudes of about 1000 meters ago and lives in caves and in the wild in shady, damp places under stones, stumps, rotten wood piles and rock crevices. They are pure rural residents who swim poorly but can climb well. Since they are lungenlos breathing takes place exclusively via the oral mucosa and the body surface. Genes cave salamanders feed on small insects, woodlice and spiders, which are captured with their sticky, vorschnellbaren spin tongue.

Reproduction

As with other cave salamanders mating occurs on land. The male rises to the female and clasped it with his front legs. Both partners meander while his tail. Then the male releases his embrace, begins the " mating march ", the male above and the female behind, in which the male deposits a spermatophore on the ground. This seed packet is then taken up by the female with his cloaca. The female lays later, primarily during the spring, a few eggs in caves and guarded them there. The eggs hatch after about 12 months the pups.

Endangering

Genes cave salamander by the IUCN as " Near Threatened " (roughly equivalent to the German category " early warning " ) classified. Notes that sinks the whole population does not exist. Locally may lead to habitat loss and sometimes specimens are collected illegally.