Salamandrella

Drawing of Salamandrella keyserlingii

Salamandrella is a widespread genus of Eurasian table angle tooth newts ( Hynobiidae ), which consists of only two species.

Features

It is pulmonate Caudates with smooth skin, well-trained ribs and furrows Ohrdrüsenwülsten and a laterally flattened tail. The limbs each have four toes; sometimes occur as a deviation also 2-5 toes. Claws are not provided. The teeth of the palate are lined up in a V-shaped angle. The larvae of the genus live in standing water and hold it there a winter rest before they metamorphose.

Occurrence

The range extends from the eastern European part of Russia ( about 45 degrees eastern longitude ) to Kamchatka in the Far East. In the south it extends to northern Mongolia and northeastern China. It comprises the islands of Hokkaido and Sakhalin.

System

The genus comprises two species:

• Salamandrella keyserlingii Dybowski, 1870 - Siberian angle tooth scraper
• Salamandrella tridactyla ( Nikolskii, 1906)