Other Definitions
fire salamander (dict)
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Fire Salamander{{Taxobox_genus_amandra') is probably the most well-known salamander species in Europe. It is black with yellow spots or stripes to a varying degree - some specimens can be nearly completely black while on others the yellow is dominant. In some cases the spots are more orange or red than yellow. Habitat Fire Salamanders live in forests in the hilly parts of southern and central Europe. They prefer deciduous forests, as they like to hide in the fallen leaves, but also at mossy tree trunks. They need clean small brooks in their habitat for the development of the larvae. Fire Salamanders are active in the evening and the night, but on rainy days they are active in daytime as well. Their diet consists of various insects, spiders, earthworms and slugs. Reproduction Reproduction occurs by means of a spermatophore, which will be taken up by the female salamander. Eggs are retained in the oviducts of females by developing within several months. Under normal conditions the females give ovoviviparous birth to nearly full developed aquatic larvae. Toxicity Fire Salamanders are able to extrude heavy toxic skin secretions, e.g. the neurotoxic alkaloid Samandarin. This alkaloid causing to all vertebrates strong muscle convulsions and high-blood pressure combined with hyperventilation. The poison glands of Salamanders are concentrated in certain areas of the body, especially around the head and the dorsal skin surface. Most of these secretions might be effective against bacterial and fungal infections of the epidermis, but some secretions can also be dangerous to human life. Distribution Fire Salamanders are found in most of southern and central Europe. They are most commonly found at altitudes between 400 and 1000 m, only rarely below. However on the Balkan or in Spain they are commonly found in higher altitudes as well.
Map showing the distribution of the Fire Salamander
Nominae Herpetofaunae Europaeae:
Salamandra salamandra (Linnaeus, 1758) England - Fire salamander, Spotted salamander France - Salamandre tachete Spain - Salamandra commn Italy - Salamandra pezzata Netherland - Vuurslamander Norway - Ildsalamander Subspecies Several subspecies of the Fire Salamander are recognized. Most notable are the subspecies fastuosa and bernadezi, which are the only viviparous subspecies - the others are ovoviviparous. - S. s. almanzoris - Spotted Fire Salamander
- S. s. bejarae (or hispanica)
- S. s. bernardezi (extinct?)
- S. s. beschkovi
- S. s. crespoi
- S. s. fastuosa (or bonalli) - Yellow Striped Fire Salamander
- S. s. gallaica - Portuguese Fire Salamander
- S. s. gigliolii
- S. s. infraimmaculata
- S. s. longirostris - Los Barrios Fire Salamander
- S. s. morenica
- S. s. salamandra (or werneri)
- S. s. semenovi
- S. s. terrestris - Barred Fire Salamander
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