Introduction

The North African Fire Salamander, Salamandra algira, occurs in isolated populations throughout the northern mountain ranges of north-western Africa (Thorn, 1968; Schleich et al., 1996). Blanc (1935) mentioned that S. algira might occur in Tunisia, as its type locality is found fairly nearby in Algeria (approximately 60 km from the border, Mount (Jebel) Edough, near Annaba). Schleich et al. (1996) subsequently included localities in Morocco and Algeria as part of the distribution of this species, but did not mention a possible occurrence in Tunisia. Despite the fact that Blanc (1935) encouraged searches for S. algira in the Khroumiri, no subsequent records were provided. Salvador (1996) was the first

to map S. algira for Tunisia, which has been repeated or ignored by subsequent authors (Thiesmeier, 2004; Donaire-Barroso et al., 2009; Stuart et al., 2008; Frost, 2013). The map in Salvador (1996) is based on museum records. The presented data for Tunisia refers to specimen of the Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig (ZFMK, Bonn, Germany) and are the only vouchers worldwide of S. algira from this country.

Eiselt (1958) in his extensive work shows that S. algira has, in comparisson with all other Salamandra species and subspecies, an extreme long and round tail, small head and the ventral side is pure black or with only small yellow speckels or spots.

The aim of this study was to gather evidence on the occurrence of S. algira in Tunisia. Therefore, we conducted three field surveys and compared phenotypic and morphological data of the ZFMK specimens with confirmed S. algira specimens.

Material and methods

The “Tunisian” S. algira collection in the ZFMK, Bonn consists of many animals, larvae, juveniles, subadults and adults. They all come from a population kept in captivity by Wolfgang Mudrack (Berlin) originally bought from Werner Vogel (Hebertsfelden near Rottach-Inn), with an exact locality of origin, ‘Toucabeur Brancon Gebirge, 100 km SW of Tunis’, which probably is a synonym of Toukaber (or Toucabour in French). This place is situated

Herpetology Notes, volume 6: 301-306 (2013) (published online on 30 July 2013)

Do North African Fire Salamanders, Salamandra algira, occur in Tunisia?

Sergé Bogaerts1*, David Donaire-Barroso2, Frank Pasmans3, Salvador Carranza4 and Wolfgang Böhme5

1 Lupinelaan 25, NL-5582CG, Waalre, The Netherlands2 C/Mar Egeo n° 7, E-11407, Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. 3 Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases,

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B9820 Merelbeke, , Belgium.

4 Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-UPF) CMIMA - Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, 37-49 E-08003 Barcelona, Spain.

5 Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig, Adenauerallee 160, D-53113, Bonn, Germany.

* Corresponding author; e-mail: s-bogaerts@hetnet.nl

Abstract. Salamandra algira is patchily distributed from north-western Morocco to eastern Algeria. Its occurrence in Tunisia is under debate. In order to examine the presence of S. algira in Tunisia, three field trips were made to suitable habitats in the Medjerda mountains in north-eastern Tunisia. Additionally, phenotypic and morphological examinations of “Tunisian” S. algira museum specimens originating from the ZFMK, Germany, were carried out. No indications for the presence of S. algira in Tunisia were found during the field trips. The ZFMK specimens of Salamandra algira turned out to be most likely middle or eastern European Salamandra salamandra. These results do not support earlier statements on the presence of the species in Tunisia.

Key words. Amphibians, Urodela, Salamandra algira, Tunisian fauna, distribution

Sergé Bogaerts et al.302

northwest of Mejez El Bab and is of archaeological interest. These ZFMK specimens were compared with S. algira specimens observed and measured in the field in Morocco, and with Moroccan and Algerian museum specimens from the Zoologische Museum Amsterdam (ZMA), Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales Madrid, Spain (MNCN) and Natural History Museum Vienna (NHMW).

Different body measurements were taken by the same person with a marking gauge and noted to the nearest 1 mm. For the comparison of measurements we used animals of general similar size, except for the available Annaba specimens which are all smaller in size. We only used animals without visible tail injuries (which could shorten the tail). Coloration and colour pattern were noted and photographed.

For the field research we targeted the area closest to the Algerian border in the north western Medjerda mountains of Tunisia. This area has the highest annual rainfall of Tunisia ranging between 800 – 1500 mm a year (see Sicilia et al., 2009). Additionally, other North African relict amphibian and reptile species occur there (Brito et al., 2008; Bogaerts et al., 2013.). Besides, we visited Toukaber once. We examined suitable habitats, based on experience with S. algira in Morocco (see Donaire-Barroso & Bogaerts, 2003; Bogaerts & Donaire-Barroso, 2003; Beukema et al., 2010). The Mediterranean Oak forests of the Medjerda mountains are characterized by high humidity and winter rain carrying streams, which seem suitable for the development of Salamandra larvae. Several streams were checked for larvae and their surroundings for adults at daytime and at nighttime with flashlights. In total, three field investigations to this area were made; from 5 to 11 February 2000, from 4 to 12 March 2001 and from 26 to 29 March 2005.

As an indirect second method, we also showed colour pictures of several reptiles and amphibians, including S. algira, to shepherds and hunters we met in the field to ask them if they had ever seen the species in the area. It is important to stress that confusion with other animals is unlikely due to the striking species colouration pattern., which makes the use of photographs a fine tool.

Results

Examination of museum material

We found marked differences in colouration between the presumed Tunisian museum specimens (ZFMK 3738-37343, ZFMK 40211-40219) and confirmed S. algira (Figure 1). While all Moroccan and Algerian

specimen examined had unspotted or very scarcely spotted undersides, the ZFMK specimen always possessed spots, sometimes covering more than 50% of the venter (see Figures 2 and 3). The arrangement of the spots on the dorsal side is different as well; several ZFMK specimen presented two dorsal rows of spots, which rarely occurs in S. algira. The snout was more pointed in the ZFMK specimen compared to that of confirmed S. algira. Tails were much shorter in all ZFMK specimen (see Table I) than all S. algira. One way ANOVA and post hoc LSD tests showed that the supposedly Tunisian salamanders had a significantly higher SVL/TaL compared to S. algira (p < 0.001).

Field research

Besides Discoglossus pictus and Bufo bufo, no other amphibians were found in the examined streams. Toukaber was found to be unsuitable. In total, we showed the pictures of reptiles and amphibians to four shepherds and two hunters in the Medjerda mountains. None of them had ever seen an animal resembling a member of the genus Salamandra, but they recognised many others that live in the area, like Testudo graeca and Timon pater.

Discussion

Morphological and phenotypical examination of the ZFMK “Tunisian” specimen revealed that these are not Salamandra algira but Salamandra salamandra, and therefore represent an error. The ZFMK specimen show also large similarities in colouration pattern and morphology with central European specimens, such as those originating from the area were S. s. terrestris and S. s. salamandra meet or with Ukrainian S. salamandra (see pictures in Thiesmeier, 2004). Especially the latter show slender bodies with relatively long tails. A distinct colouration feature are the bellies and throats. The ZFMK specimen typically have yellow colouration on the chin, which is found in European specimens but does never occur in S. algira. The bellies of the ZFMK specimens are all heavily covered with yellow dots, which is not seen in S. algira (see Eiselt, 1958; Beukema et al., 2013). Furthermore some of the ZFMK “Tunisian” specimen have two dorsal rows of spots, also typical for middle European individuals, but not typical for S. algira (Eiselt, 1958; Pasteur & Bons, 1958; Bogaerts & Donaire-Barrosso, 2003; Beukema et al., 2013). Böhme et al. (2013) describe another distinct character, black dotted pore exits on the yellow parts of the paratoids, that is not seen in S. algira or Salamandra

303Do North African Fire Salamanders, Salamandra algira, occur in Tunisia?

infraimmaculata but in all S. salamandra subspecies and in Salamandra corsica. These black dotted exits are clearly visable in the ZFMK specimen.

Although the field research resulted in no indication of S. algira occurring in Tunisia, the Medjerda mountains are the most suitable area to look for S. algira. The habitat is also inhabited by other North African relict species such as Bufo bufo, Natrix natrix, Coronella girondica,

Vipera latastei and Podarcis vaucheri (Bogaerts et al., 2002; Brito et al., 2008), which, except for N. natrix and V. latastei, were found during our excursions. Other recent, more intensive surveys did neither find S. algira in northwest Tunisia (Sicilia et al., 2009; Ben Hassine & Nouira, 2012), but revealed new data on B. bufo (Ben Hassine & Nouria, 2012; Bogaerts et al., 2013). We did not search in the Toukaber Mountains other

Figure 1. Dorsal and ventral views of Salamandra algira. A and B: Neotype of Salamandra algira algira from Jebel Edough, Annaba, Algeria. C and D: Salamandra algira splendens. from Jebel Tazzeka, Taza, Morocco. E and F: Salamandra algira tingitana from Jebel Tagramt, Tetouan, Morocco.

than once and briefly, as none of the species from the above mentioned herpetological community species is found there and the annual rainfall is much lower (< 500 mm a year). This leads us to believe the area is highly unsuitable for S. algira and makes the origin of the

ZFMK specimens even more questionable.A last hypothesis for not finding S. algira is that

the Tunisian populations are producing completely developed young, and therefore go easily unnoticed while searching for larvae, like S. algira tingitana in

Figure 2. Dorsal views of seven ZFMK specimen.

Figure 3. Ventral views of seven ZFMK specimen.

Sergé Bogaerts et al.304

the north of Morocco (Donaire-Barroso & Bogaerts, 2001; 2003). However, one specific environmental condition is very different, in comparison to viviparous populations of S. algira. Northwest Tunisia consists of sandstone, whereas all Moroccan S. algira are found in limestone areas. Also Mount Edough, Algeria, the S. algira closest to Tunisia consists of limestone (Thomas Schöttler, pers. comm.).

We conclude that the ZFMK specimen are Salamandra salamandra and there is no direct or indirect evidence yet that Salamandra algira occurs in Tunisia. We therefore recommend it to be removed from the Tunisian herpetofauna species list until proven otherwise.

Acknowledgements. We thank Dave Herbert (United Kingdom) is for his support on the field trip in 2000, David Buttle (United Kingdom) for sharing his field data, Mohsen Kalboussi (Tunisia) for his research work, Chantal Ruijgrok for turning old slides into decent digital figures 1 and 2, Thomas Schöttler (Germany) for

information on S. algira localities at Mount Edough, Algeria. Franz Tiedemann and Heinz Grillitsch (NHMW) are kindly thanked for their kind help in the museum.

References

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Locality Sex Origin TL SVL TaL SVL/TaL Remarks ? "Toucabour" M ZFMK 37338 173.5 105.5 68 1.55 ? "Toucabour" M ZFMK 37339 175.6 105.6 70 1.51 ? "Toucabour" M ZFMK 37827 167.5 103.4 64.1 1.61 ? "Toucabour" F ZFMK 37343 160 96.4 63.6 1.52 Mean (SD)

169.2 (7.0)

102.7 (4.4)

66.4 (3.1)

1.55 (0.05)

S. a. tingitana Jebel Musa F MNCN 41037 162.2 96.8 65.4 1.48 Holotype S. a. tingitana Jebel Musa M ZMA 20011 187.4 106.4 81 1.31 Paratype S. a. tingitana Jebel Musa M ZMFK 77415 173.5 98.5 75 1.31 Paratype Mean (SD)

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73.8 (7.9)

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S. a. splendens Chefchaouen F live specimen 191.1 111.1 80 1.39 S. a. splendens Chefchaouen F live specimen 195 106 89 1.19 S. a. splendens Chefchaouen M live specimen 195.2 111 84.2 1.32 S. a. splendens Chefchaouen M live specimen 173.5 95.5 78 1.22 S. a. splendens Chefchaouen M live specimen 192.2 105.5 86.5 1.22 S. a. splendens Chefchaouen M live specimen 194 104 90 1.16 S. a. splendens Chefchaouen F live specimen 193 110 83 1.33 Mean (SD)

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106.2 (5.5)

84.4 (4.5)

1.26 (0.08)

S. a. algira Jebel Edough NHW 9251/1 149.5 85.5 64 1.34 Neotype S. a. algira Jebel Edough NHW 9251/2 119.5 66.5 53 1.25 Paratype S. a. algira Jebel Edough NHW 9251/3 155.9 84.9 71 1.20 Paratype Mean (SD)

141.6 (19.4)

78.1 (10.8)

62.7 (9.1)

1.26 (0.07)

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