The Golden Alpine Salamander (Salamandra Atra Aurorae) in Conservation Peril

Amphibia-Reptilia 33 (2012): 541-543

The golden Alpine salamander (Salamandra atra aurorae)in conservation peril

Described in 1982 as new taxon, the golden been only reported from a rather limited num- Alpine salamander (Salamandra atra aurorae) ber of localities, and currently it is unclear was one of the most unexpected and spectac- whether these sites are connected via disper- ular herpetological discoveries for the Euro- sal/gene flow with each other. In contrast to pean continent of the last century (fig. 1). These populations of Salamandra atra atra, the gol- unique salamanders are endemic to a very small den Alpine salamander is considered to be crit- mountainous area located in the southern Alps ically endangered by the IUCN red list, under of Northern Italy, and are only known from a criterion B1ab (iii) (http://www.iucnredlist.org/ few localities in the Altopiano dei Sette Co- details/19843/0), and is included as “priority muni (province of Vicenza, Veneto region) and taxon” in the European Union Habitat directive the Altopiano di Vezzena (province of Trento). due to its very limited geographic distribution Populations of the golden Alpine salamander and the potential threat of habitat loss resulting are geographically isolated from the remain- from wood harvesting. ing populations of conspecific Alpine salaman- The Natura 2000 site “Altopiano dei Sette ders (S. atra atra) and underwent a unique Comuni” is of major importance for the pro- evolutionary history. Golden Alpine salaman- tection and conservation of existing popula- ders display remarkable differences concerning tions of S. a. aurorae. It includes the “Bosco colour pattern and genetic composition with re- del Dosso” forest, a prime habitat for the gol- gard to other populations of Salamandra atra. den Alpine salamander. Until today, the popu- In particular, while known populations of S. lation at the Bosco del Dosso is supposed to atra atra are uniformly black, the golden Alpine represent the largest known census size popu- salamander always displays yellow patches on lation of S. a. aurorae. Despite the enor- its dorsal side. To date, S. atra aurorae has mous importance of this population, in May

Figure 1. Salamandra atra aurorae. This ﬁgure is published in colour in the online version.

Figure 2. Habitat destruction through the use of heavy machines in the type locality of Salamandra atra aurorae at the Bosco del Dosso. This ﬁgure is published in colour in the online version.

2012 destructive forestry works as well as heavy machines and a large number of trees, forestry clearings have been noticed by field particularly Silver Firs (Abies alba), have been herpetologists at the Bosco del Dosso (fig. 2). marked for removal in the near future. In the re- Additionally, trees marked for later clearances cent past, the use of heavy machines for wood were also observed (fig. 3). In detail, new harvesting, both in this and other similar areas, forestry paths and roads were built by using have had disastrous consequences including

Figure 3. Trees that have been marked to be cut at the Bosco del Dosso. This ﬁgure is published in colour in the online version.