found under a single birch trunk

[Jeroen Speybroeck]

In my snake-poor surroundings, we did a sampling for population genetics of isolated relict populations of Salamandra salamandra. While June is hardly the good time of year to go for adults, we managed to find quite a few. A nice surprise was finding these 10 within a tiny area of less than 1m² underneath a single tree trunk.

note the orange treat

[Tim Leerschool]

That's fantastic Jeroen! Amazing find.

Although I have tried numerous times, S. salamandra still illudes me. I've only witnessed 2 adults and a sub-adult. Most trips were hopeless.. and then sometimes I manage to find one.

Within these relict populations. Do you expect inbreeding? Seeing these numbers even under one branch, I suspect a healthy population.

Thanks for sharing!

Tim

[Jeroen Speybroeck]

The population is healthy for sure. Even might be the best in Flanders.
From what I think I know, inbreeding is far less a problem in amphibians than in e.g. mammals.

I see you're located not that far away from Belgium. Feel free to come over for some Salamandra extravaganza .

[Paul Lambourne]

Jeroen,

How can you moan about lack of fragilis when ya have such great numbers of salamandra great find fella I am planning a Belgium visit soon for bullfrog.

Kind regards

Paul

[Tim Leerschool]

The population is healthy for sure. Even might be the best in Flanders.
From what I think I know, inbreeding is far less a problem in amphibians than in e.g. mammals.

I see you're located not that far away from Belgium. Feel free to come over for some Salamandra extravaganza .

Thanks for your invitation. I'll try to plan something in the near future. I'll keep you posted!

Tim

[Bobby Bok]

Where did you hide that orange one when we were in your "playground" woods? It's very pretty!

[Jeroen Speybroeck]

Where did you hide that orange one when we were in your "playground" woods? It's very pretty!

Had to keep something in store to make you come back one day

[Peter Oefinger]

Amazing
I have to switch from lizards to amphibians - it just doesn't stop raining here...