Salamandra algira Bedriaga, 1883
Algerian Salamander, North African Fire Salamander, Arous Chta Subgenus: Salamandra | family: Salamandridae subfamily: Salamandrinae genus: Salamandra |
© 2020 Axel Hernandez (1 of 156) |
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Description A slender bodied salamander with a relatively long, laterally-flattened tail. Adults of both sexes attain a snout-vent length of about 200 mm, sometimes longer. The females are usually larger than males. The male's cloaca is much more swollen than the female’s cloaca. The background is usually black, but can also be dark brown. The salamanders possess yellow spots, which do not follow a clear pattern. They may also have red spots on the head. Distribution and Habitat Country distribution from AmphibiaWeb's database: Algeria, Morocco
Life History, Abundance, Activity, and Special Behaviors The activity of this species stops during the summer period. When the rain starts to fall in November, the animals become active again. The breeding season occurs in the winter months. The animals mate on land, and can give birth to completely metamorphosed young salamanders, but usually give birth to larvae. Relation to Humans Possible reasons for amphibian decline Habitat modification from deforestation, or logging related activities Comments Since then, up to four subspecies have been recognized with distinct life history, geographic distribution and morphology ((Donaire Barroso and Bogaerts 2001). See the account by Axel Hernandez (above tab) where each subspecies (S. a. algira, S. a. atlantica, S. a. tingitana, S. a. splendens, and S. a. spelaea) is delineated and described.
References
Donaire, B. D., and Bogaerts, S. (2001). ''Observations on viviparity of Salamandra algira in North Morocco.'' Herpetologia Candiana. P. Lymberakis, E. Valakos, P. Pafilis, nd M. Mylonas, eds., SEH, Irakleio, 147 – 151. Schleich, H. H., Kastle, W., and Kabisch, K. (1996). Amphibians and Reptiles of North Africa. Koeltz Scientific Publishers, Koenigstein. Veith, M. (1994). ''Ioenzymelektrophoretische Untersuchungen am Feuersalamander - Beispiele fur den Einsatz einer modernen Technik.'' Elaphe, 2(1), 53. Veith, M., Steinfartz, S., Zardoya, R., Seitz, A., and Meyer, A. (1998). ''A molecular phylogeny of 'true' salamanders (family Salamandridae) and the evolution of terrestriality of reproductive modes.'' Journal of Systematics and Evolutionary Research, 36, 7-16. Originally submitted by: Ted Papenfuss and Vance T. Vredenburg (first posted 2002-02-25) Edited by: Kellie Whittaker, Michelle S. Koo (2020-01-11) Species Account Citation: AmphibiaWeb 2020 Salamandra algira: Algerian Salamander <https://amphibiaweb.org/species/4280> University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Accessed Dec 3, 2024.
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Citation: AmphibiaWeb. 2024. <https://amphibiaweb.org> University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Accessed 3 Dec 2024. AmphibiaWeb's policy on data use. |