Lyciasalamandra helverseni (lat.) Is a species of salamander from the genus Lyciasalamandra of the order tailed amphibians .
| Lyciasalamandra helverseni |
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| Scientific classification |
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| No rank : | Bilateral symmetric |
| View: | Lyciasalamandra helverseni |
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| International Scientific Name |
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Lyciasalamandra helverseni Pieper , 1963 |
| Synonyms |
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- Mertensiella luschani helverseni Pieper , 1963 [1]
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| Security status |
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Vulnerable speciesIUCN 3.1 Vulnerable : 61918 |
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The total length reaches 12-14 cm. Sexual dimorphism is observed: females are larger than males. The head is flattened and stretched. There is a leather fold on the throat. Paratoids (glands) are visible on the back of the head. The body is slender and strong, with 11-13 weakly visible ribbed furrows. The tail is equal to or less than the body. The male on top of the tail has a spike appearance and mating corns on the forelimbs.
The color of the back and abdomen ranges from gray to black with a series of white stripes that can create stripes. White spots stretch from the eyes to the belly. Paratoids black.
The color of the back is dark brown with yellow spots in the middle. The sides are yellow. Paratoids are dark or yellow-black. The throat is yellowish-pink. The belly is very pale. Paws and tail are brown or black. The underside of the tail is orange-yellow.
Loves shrub and rocky places. Active at night. Shows the most activity in the cooler and more humid winter months, which account for the breeding season.
Sexual maturity comes at the age of about 3 years. Mating occurs with amplexus. Reproduction has nothing to do with water. Eggs develop inside the uterus. These animals are characterized by oophagy , when strong larvae eat unfertilized eggs or weaker larvae. After 5-8 months, fully developed cubs appear.
Distributed on the Greek islands of Karpathos , Kasos and Saria , located in the southeastern part of the Aegean Sea.
