Chioglossa lusitanica Bocage, 1864

Arntzen, Jan W., Groenenberg, Dick S. J., Alexandrino, João, Ferrand, Nuno & Sequeira, Fernando, 2007, Geographical variation in the golden-striped salamander, Chioglossa lusitanica Bocage, 1864 and the description of a newly recognized subspecies, Journal of Natural History 41 (13 - 16), pp. 925-936 : 933

Chioglossa lusitanica Bocage, 1864

Material

MNHNP 1182 A is designated lectotype and MNHNP 1182 is designated paralectotype. For morphometric data see Appendix 2 .

Type locality

Buçaco, Beira Litoral, Portugal, by implication (see Thireau 1986).

Species description

Head depressed, longer than wide with a rounded snout and with large protruding eyes. Paratoids small. The body and the tail are almost cylindrical. In adults the tail is approximately 1.9–2.0 times the length of the body (modal value; maximum observed value is 2.5). Towards its posterior part the tail becomes progressively laterally compressed. The sides of the body bear a series of, usually 11, costal grooves. The sides of the tail are likewise marked with grooves that are smaller and shallower. The feet are small but well developed, with four toes at the slender forefeet and five toes at the more robust hindfeet. The inner fingers and toes are very small. The skin is smooth and a skin fold is found across the throat. The basic colour of the salamander is black. On the back the salamander normally has two broad copper-coloured bands that join over the groin and continue as a single band over the tail. The copper coloration fades towards the tip of the snout and the tip of the tail. The dark areas of the body and the tail are star-spangled with many minute azure dots. Altogether, the salamander has an almost metallic appearance. Due to its elongated shape this salamander appears smaller than stouter species of similar size as for instance Salamandra salamandra (Linnaeus, 1758) .