Salamandra algira spelaea Escoriza and Comas 2007

BEUKEMA, WOUTER, DE POUS, PHILIP, DONAIRE-BARROSO, DAVID, BOGAERTS, SERGÉ, GARCIA-PORTA, JOAN, ESCORIZA, DANIEL, ARRIBAS, OSCAR J., MOUDEN, EL HASSAN EL & CARRANZA, SALVADOR, 2013, 3661, Zootaxa 3661 (1), pp. 1-60 : 23

Salamandra algira spelaea Escoriza and Comas 2007

Fig. 8A .

Background information. While Moroccan presence of S. algira remained restricted to areas characterized by high rainfall west of the Moulouya Basin ( Pasteur & Bons 1959), Melhaoui and Chavanon (1989) reported on a finding of a single individual on Jbel Ouartass, south of Berkane in the Beni Snassen Massif. Due to the karstic nature of this massif and presence of S. algira across the Algerian border near Oran, Melhaoui and Chavanon (1989) presumed populations of Beni Snassen to have gone unnoticed due to their nocturnal behaviour, while expecting them to be more widely dispersed across the massif. Subsequently, no additional sightings were recorded for nearly two decades, after which Escoriza et al. (2006) rediscovered the presence of S. algira in the Beni Snassen Massif. A year later, Escoriza and Comas (2007) described this isolated population as S. a. spelaea (holotype: MNCN 2005-05550; type locality: "Ouartass, Beni Snassen massif, Northeast-Morocco (Locality 5, at approximately 1300 m above sea level)"). The presence of minor red discoloration on several parts of the head and body appears to be congruent with descriptions of individuals from Rhar el Maden located near Remchi, north-western Algeria ( Doumergue 1901), which is situated less than 100 km eastwards of the Beni Snassen Massif.

Natural history. Within the Beni Snassen Massif, S. a. spelaea can be found from 600–1300 m, occurring in the direct vicinity of water bodies which are used for reproduction ( Escoriza & Comas 2007). Generally, populations are located in mixed forests consisting of Quercus , Pinus and Olea trees, characterized by an abundance of karstic limestone crevices and fissures (Escoriza et al. 2006). Due to the nature of the soil most water bodies used for reproduction are man-made, such as cattle watering troughs or springs, although small puddles and temporary streams are also used to deposit larvae. The onset of the activity period is initiated by the late autumn rains, and continues throughout the winter. Active individuals have been observed in November during humid or rainy weather, both in the late afternoon and night. During these observations, air temperature varied between 5.8 and 7 ºC while humidity ranges between 75–85% ( Escoriza & Comas 2007). Larvae have been found in November and January, while fully metamorphosed juveniles were observed in mid-February ( Escoriza & Comas 2007).

Distribution. The distribution map ( Fig. 9A ) is composed of the single record from Bons and Geniez (1996). The range of S. a. spelaea was thought to be restricted to an area of less than 45 km 2 ( Escoriza & Comas 2007), but is found largely continuous within (D. Escoriza pers. obs.). See also Fig. 10 .

National Red List Status. Vulnerable (as part of S. algira ). Salamandra algira spelaea was proposed to qualify as Endangered by Escoriza and Comas (2007). The entire range of S. a. spelaea is subject to intensive human impact by means of logging, construction of buildings, canalization of natural springs and construction of fountains which prevent access to the limited water bodies by pregnant females. These actions have led to considerable desertification, especially on the southern slopes of the massif ( Escoriza & Comas 2007).

Figures

FIGURE 8. Members of the Salamandridae family native to Morocco. A: Salamandra algira spelaea Beni Snassen (DE). B-D: Salamandra algira tingitana; B: Jbel Musa (PdP); C: Tagramt (SB); D: Cudia Adru (DD). E-H: Salamandra algira splendens ssp. nov.; E: Bou Iblane (DD); F: Chefchaouen (DD) (holotype specimen); G: Bab Berret (DE); H: Ketama (DD). I-K: Pleurodeles waltl; I: Forêt de Mamora (WB); J: Casablanca (Gabriel Martínez del Mármol); K: Moulay Abdeslam (SB).

FIGURE 9. Niche models and distribution records of Salamandra algira (A); Pleurodeles waltl (B); Alytes maurus (C); and Discoglossus spp. (D) in Morocco. Warmer colours indicate higher climate suitability. Dark spots indicate records derived from literature, white spots show new records.

FIGURE 10. Upper panel: distribution of Salamandra algira ssp. in Morocco, indicating identified geographical barriers. Lower panel: variation in ventral pattern and coloration among Moroccan Salamandra algira ssp. A: Salamandra algira tingitana, west of Tetouan; B: Salamandra algira tingitana, Moulay Abdeslam; C: Salamandra algira splendens ssp. nov., Bou Iblane; D: Salamandra algira splendens ssp. nov., Ketama.