Biological Study of the Persian Salamander Larva, Paradactylodon gorganensis in Forested Elevations of Southern part of Gorgan
Subject Areas : Journal of Animal Biologyنرگس عسکری زیارتی 1 , حاجی قلی کمی 2 , هومن شجیعی 3
1 - دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، واحد دامغان، گروه زیستشناسی، دامغان، ایران
2 - دانشگاه گلستان، دانشکده علوم پایه، گروه زیستشناسی، گرگان، ایران
3 - دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، واحد دامغان، گروه زیستشناسی، دامغان، ایران
Keywords: Gorgan, Paradactylodon gorganensis, Persian Salamander, Larva, Biological aspects, Natural habitat,
Abstract :
Persian salamander Paradactylodon gorganensis is endemic, unique andvaluable genetic pool of Iranian Amphibians that exists in forests of Golestsn province. In this research, for the investigation of biological aspects of this species, for the first time natural habitats include Odaneh, Req and Gorgloo springs have been recognized in forested area of Ziarat village in south of Gorgan in 1250-1600m elevation above the sea level. We studied these localities 12 times from August 2009 to September 2010. Also, geographical position, climate, substrate, fauna, flora were investigated. In every time characters of larvae were studied. Results, shows that larvae are active at all time of the year, even when the habitat covered with snow and air temperature is -3anddeg;C. The larvae were seen with different sizes and ages in a same time, Therefore, it seems that they donandrsquo;t transform during the first year. There was cannibalism relationship in larvae. Also some of larvae may be eaten by crabs (Potamon sp). Although larvae have 4 fingers and toes in the limbs but some specimens were seen without, 3 and 5 fingers and toes. It seems that the air and water temperature do not have serious effect on growth and metamorphosis in larvae. Habitat destruction by farmers and animals, pH changes, water shortage are the most important and threating factors for population of this endemic species that live in specific habitats with limited distribution.
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