Species and habitat description

The Italian cave salamander is a species of salamander in the family Plethodontidae (salamanders without lungs, breathing through moist skin), about 12 cm. long, with a broad head with prominent eyes. It is dark brown-reddish color. Endemic to northern Italy, its habitats are temperate forests, humid rocky areas, caves. The female lays a small clutch of eggs in a crevice and these hatch by direct development into miniature salamanders.

Major threats

It is a near threatened species (IUCN, 2009). The major threat are the loss of habitat and the collection of specimens. The climate change can threaten the species, because of the longer and dryer summers.

Specific conservation action

In the site IT4070011 Vena del Gesso Romagnola it is present in two areas: Carnè e
Rontana and Monte Mauro. We will maintain and improve forest structure and
composition, creating laying dead wood: obtaining, as a result, more litter and a more humid forest soil, rich in shelters for the salamanders.

Images:
Species: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/18sW8Zt4j8jKO9e2XDdsolIlQQdRwlyAs
Habitat: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/1t9x50TiYAhlkeIXNSOzivwPKtsJqBFru
Specific conservation action: (e.g. creation of sunny glade): https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/1R4ZZY7IuXLh-zuOw8XIrQHf1lzL6zqqe

Related project areas
Carnè e Rontana
Monte Mauro

Bibliography
IUCN (2009) Franco Andreone, Paul Edgar, Claudia Corti, Roberto Sindaco, Antonio Romano. 2009. Speleomantes italicus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2009: e.T20458A9201759.

© Riolo Terme, 2018.06.26 Massimiliano Costa