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. Open petition for the conservation of the golden Alpine salamander in Italy 543 direct killing of salamanders, intense soil com- placed an open petition for the conservation of pacting, destruction of the forest understory and the golden Alpine salamander and its habitat in of small forest elements (e.g. logs) that are fre- the face of this dramatic threat. We demand: quently used by salamanders as shelters during • Any plans for forestry management and their activity period. Intended logging will have exploitation should be developed urgently dramatic negative consequences for the habi- for all areas inhabited by S. atra aurorae tat of the salamanders as the microclimate will (between Altopiano di Vezzena in Trento change, soil temperature will increase and hu- Province and the part of Altopiano dei midity of the soil will decrease. Taken together, Sette Comuni under Asiago and Gallio these effects will make the current environment municipalities) in close cooperation with of these salamanders unsuitable, and it is very expert herpetologists, who should be re- likely that this population will go extinct as a cruited from the above mentioned soci- consequence of already undertaken and planned eties, to avoid any negative impact on these logging measures. Similar activities and heavy salamander populations. forestry exploitation are also currently ongoing • Logging and related activities impacting at a second locality where the golden salaman- on salamanders and their habitat should be der occurs, the “Altopiano di Vezzena” high- banned temporarily in areas inhabited by land. the golden Alpine salamanders until new The spontaneous protest of herpetologists and adequate plans for forestry manage- and some politicians have temporarily stopped ment and exploitation are endorsed. the forestry activities in the Bosco del Dosso. Please, sign the online petition located at However, the threat for salamanders at the the SEH webpage (http://www.avaaz.org/it/ Bosco del Dosso is far from over, and a new petition/Save_the_golden_Alpine_salamander/ plan for the exploitation of the forest is likely ?tta) and help us this way to save this unique to be approved by local authorities in the course species from extinction. of the next months. In our view, minimizing the impacts of wood harvesting in the area of the Bosco del Dosso and other sites where the List of scientists that drafted this call and golden Alpine salamander is found is critical signed the petition for the future survival and conservation of this endemic salamander species. For this reason, Enrico Romanazzi, Lucio Bonato, Gentile Fran- the Societas Europaea Herpetologica (SEH), the cesco Ficetola, Sebastian Steinfartz, Raoul Ma- Societas Herpetologica Italica (SHI), the Inter- nenti, Cristiano Spilinga, Franco Andreone, national Society for the Study and Conserva- Uwe Fritz, Claudia Corti, Petros Lymberakis, tion of the Amphibians (ISSCA) and the IUCN Anna Rita di Cerbo, Tony Gent, Sylvain Ursen- Amphibian Specialist Group (IUCN ASG) have bacher and Kurt Grossenbacher.