A new finding of <em>Salamandra lanzai</em> in the Upper Sangone Valley (NW Italy) marks the species' most disjunct population (Amphibia: Urodela: Salamandridae)

Abstract

The presence of Salamandra lanzai was confirmed for the Upper Sangone Valley (Turin Province, NW Italy), within the Parco Naturale Orsiera Rocciavré. The species attribution was further supported by morphological and genetic (16S) analysis and represents the north-eastern most limit of the species’ distribution. This salamander was so far known only for a few major alpine valleys of Italy (Po, Pellice, and Germanasca Valleys), and France (Guil Valley). The new finding is especially interesting since it is separated from its closest known locality by about 15 km. For such a reason this population needs to be carefully managed.