Bay Lycian Salamander

Lyciasalamandra billae is a Turkish salamander composed of at least five subspecies: L. b. billae, L. b. arikani, L. b. eikeae, L. b. irfani, and L. b. yehudahi. As a whole, their snout-vent length ranges from 55.0 – 82.0 mm, total length from 94.0 – 146.0 mm, and tail lengths range from 36.0 – 65.00 mm (Franzen and Klewen 1987, Göçmen et al. 2011, Göçmen and Akman 2012, Godmann et al. 2016). Their tails usually equal 80 to 90 percent of their snout-vent length (Veith and Steinfartz 2004). Lyciasalamandra billae is generally similar in external morphology to other members of the Lyciasalamandra genus. More specifically, their heads are slightly to significantly longer than wide (Franzen and Klewen 1987, Göçmen et al. 2011, Göçmen and Akman 2012, Godmann et al. 2016) and appear flattened. Their snout is rounded and their nostrils are small. The species has long, curved, narrow paratoid glands that are wider on the posterior end. There is also a distinct gular fold. The tips of the digits are thickened. Males of the species have a protuberance at the base of their tail on the dorsal surface that ranges from 1.59 – 2.49 mm in height and have swollen vents that are characteristic of the genus (Göçmen et al. 2011, Göçmen and Akman 2012, Godmann et al. 2016). The genus Lyciasalamandra is closely related to the genera Chioglossa, Mertensiella, and Salamandra but can be distinguished by several morphological features. From Salamandra and Chioglossa, Lyciasalamandra can be differentiated by having an additional phalange on the first digit of the hand and foot with the phalange formula for Lyciasalamandra being 2, 2, 3, 2 on the hand and 2, 2, 3, 3, 2 on the foot. Additionally, Salamandra and Chioglossa lack the keratinized epidermal projections covering the entirety of the dorsal part of the body present in Lyciasalamandra. Specific differences from Chioglossa, include Lyciasalamandra having fully developed lungs unlike the reduced lungs of Chioglossa and Lyciasalamandra lacking the tongue-projection mechanism common to Chioglossa. Lyciasalamandra can be further distinguished from Salamandra based on osteology. Mertensiella, from which Lyciasalamandra was split, has a larger tail to body ratio and darker dorsal background coloration in juveniles than Lyciasalamandra (Veith and Steinfartz 2004).Most subspecies of L. billae can be differentiated from other members of its genus by coloration, patterning, and locality (see Distribution section below). Although some individuals of L. b. billae can be dorsally black, the other subspecies have a lighter background coloration than L. atifi, L. flavimembris, L. helverseni, and L. luschani . Furthermore, L. atifi has a yellow upper eyelid with a thin black strip and L. luschani has a white upper eyelid that differentiates it from the typically black upper eyelid in most L. billae subspecies. However, L. b. arikani has a yellowish to white-green upper eyelid and L. b. eikeae has a yellow upper eyelid, but neither have a black strip. Most subspecies of L. billae also lacks yellow spots that L. helverseni and L. antayana have, black dorsal spot that L. fazilae has, and marbling like some populations of L. luschani, however, L. b. yehudahi does have some yellowish flecks and dots that are irregularly scattered on the dorsum (Franzen and Klewen 1987, Göçmen et al. 2011, Göçmen and Akman 2012, Goodman et al. 2016). Geographically, L. billae is parapatric to L. antalaya and near the range of L. luschani (Göçmen and Akman 2012, Goodman et al. 2016) making it distinguishable by geography from L. atifi, L. fazilae, L. flavimebris, and L. helverseni. In life, the dorsal background color and patterning of L. billae varies with subspecies enough that several subspecies were thought to be full species before molecular analysis determined their genetic distance. Lyciasalamandra. b. arikani have honey yellow to brown dorsal surfaces on the head (excepting the upper eyelids), legs, and tail with irregularly scattered red to brown flecks. The area around the snout and up to the eyes is lighter and more orange. The upper eyelids are yellowish to whitish green and have indistinct brownish or blackish dots. The paratoids are light orange, similarly to the snout, and the gland openings of the paratoids, back, and tail are black. There are yellowish-white flecks that start below the eyes, but do not form a distinct line, along the dorsolateral region of their flanks that separates the dorsum from the ventrum. Some individuals may have blackish blotches in the area near the flanks. In

As a whole, L. billae can be found on the western Anatolian coast of Turkey, starting in the Taurus Mountains northwest of Antayla (Godmann et al. 2016) and extending along the costal mountains south to the mountains between Beycik and Kumlucayazi (Göçmen and Akman 2012). The species is associated with rocky karstic limestone outcrops and is often found in pine or marqui woodlands that range from sea level to 200 meters above sea level (Veith et al. 2001). The arid Mediterranean habitat in which they live usually receives less than 1000 mm of rainfall per year (Çiçek et al. 2007), with typical rainfall between 400 - 600 mm per year (Göçmen et al. 2013). The species does not live in modified habitats (Veith et al. 2001).The subspecies have non-overlapping geographic ranges that are isolated from each other. Lyciasalamandra b. arikani has the southern most range and appears to be restricted to 25 - 30 km2 area around Erentepe Mt. However its range may include the southern slopes of Tahtali Mountain and on the slopes and plains of “Ulupinar” between Beycik and Kumlucayazi at altitudes between 425 – 782 m a.s.l. They are found under stones on the humid and rocky slopes with Pinus brutia (Brutian pine), Quercus ilex (Holly oak), and Arbuthus andrachne (Greek strawberry trees) and other Mediterranean plants (Göçmen and Akman 2012). The nominotypical subspecies, L. b. billae can be found 25 km southwest of Antalya on the eastern mountain slopes of Beydaglari Mountain Range (Franzen and Klewen 1987) and extending to north of Tahtali Mountain (Göçmen and Akman 2012). The soil they are found on is mostly covered with dense pine needles and a rich, base soil (pH = 8) (Franzen and Klewen 1987).The most northern subspecies, L. b. eikeae, is found northwest of Antalya in the Taurus mountains around Geyikbayırı at altitudes above 880 m a.s.l. This subspecies is separated from L. b. billae by and nested in populations of L. antalyana (Godmann et al. 2016).Lyciasalamandra b. irfani can be found exclusively in Göynük Canyon in southwestern Anatolia at altitudes ranging from 90 - 385 m a. s. l. Individuals can be found under stones along rocky slopes with vegetation such as Platanus orientalis (Oriental plane), Pinus brutia (Brutian pine), Arbuthus andrachne (Greek strawberry trees), and Mediterranean shrubs (Göçmen et al. 2011).Lyciasalamandra b. yehudahi is found on the rainy spring days on the eastern slopes of Tahtali Mountain (including Gedelme on the northwest slope) between Kemer stream and Tekirova, at altitudes of 87 – 646 m a.s.l. Their habitat is in calcareous rocky areas with woodlands composed of Platanus orientalis (Oriental plane), Pinus brutia (Brutian pine), Arbuthus andrachne (Greek strawberry trees), and Mediterranean shrubs (Göçmen and Akman 2012).

Lyciasalamandra billae is a terrestrial and nocturnal species, like many others in its genus. Their activity is dependent on temperature and humidity. During the day they often hide under stones, whereas in the evening they are active. They also appear during mild rain and cooler temperatures but are known to take refuge from dehydration deep inside the system of cracks in the limestone during the summer (Veith et al. 2001).The ratio of males to females is 2.4:1 (Franzen and Klewen 1987). This species is viviparous and produce one to two metamorphosed young. The gestation period lasts about one year (Stuart et al. 2008). Parturition time of Lycian salamanders is believed to be between the end of autumn and spring (September to March), corresponding with a higher humidity and average rainfall. The mating season is in the spring, predominantly in April (Polymeni 1994).The adult Lycian salamander diet is composed of terrestrial invertebrates, especially larvae and adult beetles and centipedes (Çiçek et al. 2007). Using phalangeal skeletochronology, males were found to reach an age of eight years, whereas females reached ten years of age. Juveniles ranged from 1 to 3 years of age, with sexual maturity estimated at 3 years of age. Overall, adult life expectancy is 5.4 years and annual survivorship is at 0.79 (Olgun et al. 2001).Mertensiella luschani, the genus and species under which L. billae was initially listed, has been found to use chemical scents deposited on substrates to not only relocate previously used burrows but also to identify the occupants of a shelter as either male or female. These chemical tracks provide social rather than sexual information and do not play a role in sexual attraction (Gautier et al. 2006). It is unclear if L. billae also exhibits this character.

As of January 2019, the IUCN Redlist has not assessed L. billae as a whole species. However, as four of the subspecies were considered full species until 2016, assessments or assessment recommendations of “Critically Endangered” have been made for those subspecies (Göçmen et al. 2011, Göçmen and Akman 2012, Kaska et al. 2017).Despite begin found in the Çaliticak Protected Area, L. b. billae has an IUCN Redlist threat status of “Critically Endangered” (Kaska et al. 2017). The species is declining, a state attributed to its immensely restricted habitat that is decreasing in the quality and extent. There is a low human population in this subspecies’ range, but increasing development including tourism in the region, scientific collection of the species, and forest fires all threaten L. b. billae (Stuart et al. 2008, Kaska et al. 2017). The type locality for L. b. arikani is not a Special Protected Area and has experienced forestry and urbanization activity, especially around the Ovacık plateau and Dağdibi mevkii. Given the small extent of this area, 25 - 30 km2, the subspecies fits the IUCN species’ criteria for a listing of “Critically Endangered (Göçmen and Akman 2012).The Göynük Canyon, where L. b. irfani is found is a Special Protected Area, which is open to tourism and contains historic Lycian roads, traits which attract a decent number of tourists to the region. As L. b. irfani is only found in a 4 - 5 km2 area, it could be classified as “Critically Endangered”, according to the criteria of IUCN Red list Annex-2 (area of occupancy is less than 10 square km) (Göçmen et al. 2011).Similarly, although L. b. yehudahi is found in a Special Protected Area, it is open to tourism traffic and has experienced unplanned urbanization around Servel Çukuru and Kuzdere, that is degrading the habitat. Because this area is only 35 – 40 km2, this subspecies would also fit the IUCN criteria for “Critically Endangered” (Göçmen and Akman 2012).

The species is potentially over collected for scientific research purposes (Stuart et al. 2008). This species is not specifically important to the local community or to tourism.

Lyciasalamandra billae, the bay Lycian salamander, is a species of salamander in the family Salamandridae found only in Turkey. Its natural habitats are temperate forests and Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation. It is threatened by habitat loss.