Description
Slender salamander with a long tail, that can be autotomised. Total length of males up to 156mm, for females up to 164mm. The length of the tail is about half the total length in juveniles, and about two-thirds of the total length in adults. Head elongated and with large, protruding eyes. Patroids are distinct but small. The front legs, bearing 4 toes, are smaller and slimmer than the hind legs, which bear 5 toes. The body is cylindrical in cross-section and bears weakly developed costal grooves (10-12 on the body), which continue on the lateral sides of the tail. The base color is black, with two golden dorsal stripes, which unite in the dorsal side of the tail. In some populations the dorsal stripes are discontinuous and can be reduced to a number of golden spots. The entire dorsal surface has very small blue spots distributed across it. The venter is dark-gray, and the throat is a lighter gray. Semi-albinistic adults have been found in natural populations, and one fully albinistic larva resides in the collections of the University of Amsterdam. Males can be distinguished from females through the development of a swollen cloaca and swollen upper parts of the front legs during breeding season (Boehme et al 1999). The larvae are of the "stream-type", having a streamlined build and small external gills (Griffiths 1996).

Distribution and Habitat

Country distribution from AmphibiaWeb's database: Portugal, Spain

View distribution map in BerkeleyMapper.

C. lusitanica is an Ibero-Atlantic species, confined to the Northwestern part of the Iberian Peninsula, where precipitation is plentiful. In Spain, it is present in Galicia, Asturias, and in the western end of Cantábria (the easternmost population is in the Panes). It is also present in the northern half of Portugal north of the Tejo River) ; the southernmost population is found in the south of serra de Alvélos. This species is found in regions with more than 1000mm of annual precipitation. Adults usually live along the borders of streams with overhanging vegetation and moss-covered rocks. They seem to prefer slightly acidic waters, with a pH value between 4.5 and 6.5. Adults can be found up to 200m from the nearest stream, while juveniles tend to stay closer to the water. With the drying of the brooks, a part of some populations migrate to summer refuges such as dams and deserted mine-galleries or rock quarries. These refuges may also serve as a place for breeding and for egg deposition. Larvae appear to select permanent rapidly flowing streams with highly oxygenated water, they select microhabitat in areas without aquatic vegetation and with a localized weak constant current. The larvae live hidden between stones or in small holes and crevices (Gasc 1997).

Life History, Abundance, Activity, and Special Behaviors
The activity of this species is reduced in summer by aestivation, and in winter by hibernation. These rest periods are not passed in a state of total lethargy, as rainfall can stimulate activity during aestivation, and active salamanders can also be found during wintertime at temperatures slightly above 0ºC. Spring is usually the main period in which feeding takes place, and reproduction takes place in autumn. On the northwestern part of the distribution, however, the breeding takes place mainly in the spring. The adults do not seem to feed during breeding season. Mating takes place on land or in shallow water and involves ventral amplexus. Up to 20 eggs (usually 14-17) per female are laid in rotten logs or under stones and in cracks in slow-flowing streams. Eggs can also be found in the summer refuges, usually groups of 100 to 1000 eggs. The eggs are whitish in color and 5 to 8mm in diameter. Development of the embryo takes 6-10 weeks, depending on the temperature. The larvae hatch with a snout-vent length of 12-13mm, and have a brown pigmentation, which grows denser with age. They live hidden in cracks and holes, and seem photophobic. Larvae that hatch during autumn spend the winter in the water, and grow very little over this period. They, as well as the larvae that hatch in spring, metamorphose at a snout-vent length of 22mm in July, August and September. Some larvae can pass the winter in the water, and metamorphose the following spring. Observations in captivity indicate longevity to be over 10 years. Like most terrestrial salamanders, C. lusitanica is mostly nocturnal. They feed on many invertebrates, mostly those that are 2-4mm in size. Spiders seem to be a preferred food, followed by flies and beetles. The prey is captured using the specialized tongue, which can be protruded over a distance of 10mm. When threatened, the salamander can run quickly, or lets itself fall into the water. The tail can be shed if grabbed, and can continue to move for minutes, drawing the attention of the predator away from the salamander. The tail contains storage tissues, and the loss of the tail can negatively influence the fertility of females. The tail regenerates at an average speed of 3mm per month. When disturbed, C. lusitanica can also secrete a toxic, milky substance from glands on the back and tail (Boehme et al 1999).

Trends and Threats
C. lusitanica has a limited distribution, but within its range, the species is not necessarily rare. It is apparently in danger, but available data are not yet sufficient to make an accurate assessment of the status. The main threats come from the growing use of its habitats for agriculture, tourism or industrial activities, and from pollution by chemicals, mainly insecticides, which is increasing in some areas. The replacement of natural forests by monocultures (Eucalyptus and Pinus) means that C. lusitanica can no longer exist away from the stream and is restricted to riverbeds. In recent years, fires have also become another threat. In drier areas, water withdrawal is also a serious danger (Gasc 1997).

Possible reasons for amphibian decline

General habitat alteration and loss
Habitat modification from deforestation, or logging related activities
Intensified agriculture or grazing
Drainage of habitat
Local pesticides, fertilizers, and pollutants

References

Boehme, W., Grossenbacher, K., and Thiesmeier, B. (1999). Handbuch der Reptilien und Amphibien Europas, band 4/I:Schwanzlurche (Urodela). Aula-Verlag, Wiesbaden.

Gasc, J.-P. (1997). Atlas of Amphibians and Reptiles in Europe. Societas Europaea Herpetologica, Bonn, Germany.

Griffiths, R.A. (1996). Newts and Salamanders of Europe. T. and A. D. Poyser, London.

Pleguezuelos, J. M. (1997). Distribucion y Biogeografia de los Anfibios y Reptiles en España y Portugal. Asociacion Herpetologica Española, Las Palmas de Gran Canarias.

Stumpel-Rieks, S. E. (1992). Nomina Herpetofaunae Europaeae. AULA-Verlag, Wiesbaden.

Species Account Citation: AmphibiaWeb 2021 Chioglossa lusitanica: Gold-striped salamander <https://amphibiaweb.org/species/4238> University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Accessed Nov 24, 2024.

Citation: AmphibiaWeb. 2024. <https://amphibiaweb.org> University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Accessed 24 Nov 2024.

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