In the present mini-review, published and
unpublished data that have been collected for more than 40 years on the
adaption of Salamandra infraimmaculata to semi-arid environments on the
southern border of its distribution are presented. The contribution of the
present paper is in building a model based on comparing moist habitats with
predictable and relatively constant conditions to semi-arid habitats with
relatively dry conditions. Based on these parameters, the model suggests
adaptation to semi-arid habitats. More specifically, this model is based on the
morphology, biology, behavior, life cycle and physiology of S. infraimmaculata adaptation. By considering these many parameters, one hypothesis was raised and
was supported. The adaptation to and
selection of semi-arid habitats depend mainly on the terrestrial phase
and very little on the aquatic phases. In all of the semi-arid habitats, there
are various breeding places where the larvae
can grow and complete metamorphosis. The
molecular genetic variation among the various areas supports our hypothesis,
and the difference in the moist habitats is greater than in the semi-arid
environments.
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