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What the sources say

Fire SalamanderSalamandra salamandra

Every figure, record and mechanism on the Fire Salamander profile was written from a source, and this is the working table behind it: 42 claims checked word for word against these sources. The left column is what the page says. The right column is the source's own words, copied, not paraphrased; a ... marks a cut and[brackets] an insertion. Open any source and check it yourself.

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Source
01

Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan

Salamandra salamandra. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan.

The page saysblack skin marked with yellow or orange spots, splotches or bands
The source saysIts body is black with yellow or orange markings that occur in patterns varying from discrete spots to large splotches or bands.
The page saysAnimal Diversity Web's account puts it at 15 to 25 centimeters long, with some individuals exceeding 30
The source saysranging from 15 to 25cm long, with some individuals exceeding 30cmNote: Attributed to ADW because its 2000 account predates the Salamandra splits (Steinfartz et al. 2000) and may cover the broad-sense species.
The page saysone study found individuals returning to the same cave to hibernate for up to 20 years
The source saysone experiment found individuals returned to the same cave to hibernate for up to 20 yearsNote: A homing observation, kept separate from the lifespan figure.
The page saysspending much of its time beneath rocks or logs or in crevices in shaded woodland, and is mainly active on mild nights
The source saysprefers woodland habitats, especially those with much shade ... It spends much time beneath rocks or logs, or hiding in crevices to stay protected and moist ... Its main periods of activity are on mild nights
The page saysOlder accounts extend its range into northern Africa and the Middle East
The source saysThe Fire Salamander occurs in central and southern Europe, with parts of its range extending into northern Africa and the Middle EastNote: ADW's account is dated 2000-02-17, before the splits.
The page saysIt hunts soft-bodied prey such as earthworms and slugs, and harder-bodied beetles, centipedes and millipedes
The source sayssoft-bodied prey such as earthworms and slugs, and harder-bodied prey such as flies, millipedes, centipedes, and beetles
The page saysWhen some light is available it uses movement as its cue and ignores stationary prey. In the dark, with its vision impaired, it hunts by smell, and will attack prey that isn't moving as long as it can detect its odor.
The source saysWhen some light is available, it uses prey movement as its cue and ignores stationary prey. However, when hunting in the dark, it uses olfaction as its primary cue since vision is impaired. In this situation it will attack prey, if the prey is stationary, as long as it can detect the odor of the prey item.
The page saysLarge parotoid glands behind the eyes and rows of poison glands down the body secrete neurotoxins
The source saysThe large paratoid glands behind the eyes and rows of poison glands extending lengthwise down the animal's body secrete neurotoxins.
The page saysInstead of relying on escape, the salamander is capable of actively spraying these chemicals at predators to discourage an attack.
The source saysThe Fire Salamander is capable of actively spraying these chemicals at predators to discourage attack, rather than relying on escaping
The page saysthe female retains the developing eggs and later deposits many small larvae in water, usually already quite advanced
The source saysthe females deposit their young in water. S. salamandra is considered viviparous. The female retains the developing eggs, and the embryos derive their nourishment from the yolk. At birth the larvae are usually quite advancedNote: 'many small larvae' is buckley-2007's description of the common mode.
The page saysBlack-and-yellow woodland amphibian whose glands behind the eyes secrete toxic alkaloids it can spray at attackers.
The source saysThe large paratoid glands behind the eyes and rows of poison glands extending lengthwise down the animal's body secrete neurotoxins ... capable of actively spraying these chemicals at predatorsNote: tagline; alkaloid identity from mebs-2005.
The page saysGlands behind the eyes and down the body that secrete toxic alkaloids, which it can actively spray at an attacker.
The source saysThe large paratoid glands behind the eyes and rows of poison glands extending lengthwise down the animal's body secrete neurotoxins ... capable of actively spraying these chemicals at predators to discourage attackNote: stats.superpower
The page saysEarthworms, slugs, beetles, centipedes and millipedes
The source sayssoft-bodied prey such as earthworms and slugs, and harder-bodied prey such as flies, millipedes, centipedes, and beetlesNote: stats.diet
The page saysRather than counting on a predator realizing it makes an unpleasant meal and letting it go, the fire salamander can spray the neurotoxins from its skin glands straight at the predator to discourage the attack.
The source saysThe Fire Salamander is capable of actively spraying these chemicals at predators to discourage attack, rather than relying on escaping once the predator realizes it makes an unpleasant meal.Note: 'letting it go' paraphrases 'relying on escaping once the predator realizes'; 'neurotoxins from its skin glands' is the preceding sentence's 'poison glands ... secrete neurotoxins'
The page saysSalamanders, fire salamanders among them, were frequently seen crawling out of logs tossed onto cooking fires and campfires, which is likely where the stories began. Their thin, permeable skin gives them no such protection.
The source saysTraditional folklore held that salamanders could survive in fire ... The stories probably originated because salamanders, including S. salamandra, were frequently seen to crawl out of logs tossed onto cooking and campfires. Of course, their thin permeable skin offers no such protection.Note: FAQ 2 answer
The page saysdangerLevel: Low
The source saysThe Fire Salamander has been a popular species in the pet trade, and has also been utilized as an animal model in researchNote: #889: ADW's Economic Importance lists no negative effect on humans; a 19.1 g amphibian that is kept as a pet and used as a lab animal. No cached source describes harm to a person.
The page saystags: chemical-defense
The source saysThe Fire Salamander is capable of actively spraying these chemicals at predators to discourage attackNote: settle #889
The page saystags: toxic-chemical
The source saysThe large paratoid glands behind the eyes and rows of poison glands extending lengthwise down the animal's body secrete neurotoxins.Note: settle #889
The page saysan amphibian whose glands secrete neurotoxins it can actively spray at a predator to discourage an attack
The source sayspoison glands extending lengthwise down the animal's body secrete neurotoxinsNote: settle #889 (vibe.reason; spray half is the chemical-defense claim's quote)

Source
02

AnAge: The Animal Ageing and Longevity Database, Human Ageing Genomic Resources

Salamandra salamandra. AnAge: The Animal Ageing and Longevity Database, Human Ageing Genomic Resources.

The page saysAnAge lists an adult weight of 19.1 grams
The source saysAdult weight 19.1 g
The page saysIts maximum recorded lifespan is 24 years, in captivity
The source saysMaximum longevity 24 years (captivity)
The page saysweightKg: 0.019
The source saysAdult weight 19.1 gNote: settle #889

Source
03

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2023

Salamandra salamandra. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2023: e.T59467A219148292.

The page saysThe IUCN now lists the species as Vulnerable.
The source saysIUCN Red List category: Vulnerable (VU).
The page saysVulnerable
The source saysIUCN Red List category: Vulnerable (VU).Note: backs stats.conservationStatus

Source
04

Mebs & Pogoda 2005

Mebs & Pogoda (2005). Variability of alkaloids in the skin secretion of the European fire salamander (Salamandra salamadra terrestris). Toxicon.

The page saysthe two major alkaloids in the skin secretion are samandarine and samandarone
The source saysThe two major alkaloids, samandarine and samandarone, were identified in the skin secretion
The page saysAlkaloid synthesis appears to take place in the liver, testes and ovaries as well, while the larvae are entirely free of alkaloids.
The source saysAlkaloid synthesis appears to take place also in liver, testes and ovaries, whereas the larvae of the salamanders are entirely free of alkaloids.

Source
05

Preißler et al. 2019

Preißler et al. (2019). More yellow more toxic? Sex rather than alkaloid content is correlated with yellow coloration in the fire salamander. Journal of Zoology.

The page saysFire salamanders are textbook examples of warning coloration
The source saysfire salamanders (genus Salamandra) are textbook examples of aposematism
The page saysa study of three populations in the Solling area of Lower Saxony, Germany found no correlation between how much yellow a salamander wore and the alkaloid content of its parotoid glands
The source saysWe studied fire salamanders (Salamandra salamandra terrestris) from different locations in the Solling, an area in Lower Saxony (Germany) ... We measured the dorsal yellow ratio of 50 individuals from each of three populations, and quantified toxicity (steroidal alkaloid content of the parotoid glands) ... We found no correlation between yellow ratio and toxicity; instead yellow coloration was significantly affected by sex (males displaying more yellow), and location.
The page saysThe yellow varied with sex, males showing more, and with location.
The source saysyellow coloration was significantly affected by sex (males displaying more yellow), and location

Source
06

Steinfartz, Veith & Tautz 2000

Steinfartz, Veith & Tautz (2000). Mitochondrial sequence analysis of Salamandra taxa suggests old splits of major lineages and postglacial recolonizations of Central Europe from distinct source populations of Salamandra salamandra. Molecular Ecology.

The page saysIt occurs all over Europe from Spain to Greece
The source saysThis species occurs all over Europe from Spain to GreeceNote: Narrow-sense S. salamandra, after the splits the same abstract describes.
The page saysa mitochondrial DNA study of the genus found six major lineages, and suggested S. salamandra was the only one to recolonize Central Europe after the last glaciation
The source saysPhylogenetic analysis of the sequences suggests that six major monophyletic groups exist (S. salamandra, S. algira, S. infraimmaculata, S. corsica, S. atra and S. lanzai) ... suggesting that it was the only species that has recolonized Central Europe after the last glaciation
The page saysShaded woodland all over Europe, from Spain to Greece
The source saysThis species occurs all over Europe from Spain to GreeceNote: stats.habitat; 'shaded woodland' is ADW's 'woodland habitats, especially those with much shade'.
The page saysTwo subpopulations, one in northern Spain and one in southern Italy, are genetically very distinct from the others, and their mitochondrial lineages group closer to each other than to the rest.
The source saysTwo subpopulations of S. salamandra were found that are genetically very distinct from the other populations. One lives in northern Spain (S. s. bernardezi) and one in southern Italy (S. s. gigliolii). Surprisingly, the mitochondrial lineages of these subpopulations group closer together than the remainder S. salamandra lineages.Note: FAQ 4 answer
The page saysThe researchers suggest they are remnants of a population that colonized Central Europe in an earlier interglacial period, approximately 500,000 years ago, long before the recolonization that followed the last glaciation.
The source saysWe suggest that these populations are remnants of a large homogeneous population that had colonized Central Europe in a previous interglacial period, approximately 500 000 years agoNote: FAQ 4; '500 000' is the abstract's spacing of 500,000. The last glaciation recolonization is the same abstract's 'recolonized Central Europe after the last glaciation'.

Source
07

Buckley et al. 2007

Buckley et al. (2007). Heterochrony, cannibalism, and the evolution of viviparity in Salamandra salamandra. Evolution & Development.

The page saysThe common mode is ovoviviparity
The source saysthe common mode, ovoviviparity (females giving birth to many small larvae)
The page saysTheir females are viviparous, producing only a few large young that are fully metamorphosed at birth and nourished by the mother
The source saysa phylogenetically derived reproductive strategy, viviparity (females producing only a few large, fully metamorphosed juveniles, which are nourished maternally)Note: 'Some populations': buckley-2007 says the modes vary between neighbouring conspecific populations, and ADW that some populations deposit already metamorphosed young.
The page saysSome populations go further.
The source saysthe variation in reproductive modes and the associated variation of sequences of development occur in neighboring, conspecific populations
The page sayscannibalism inside the womb is one of the traits that characterize that derived strategy
The source saysthe heterochronic events that, together with the intrauterine cannibalistic behavior, characterize the derived viviparous reproductive strategy

Source
08

Martel et al. 2013

Martel et al. (2013). Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans sp. nov. causes lethal chytridiomycosis in amphibians. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The page saysIn 2013, scientists isolated a new chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans, from a fire salamander population whose steep decline had brought the species to the edge of local extinction. It caused erosive skin disease and rapid death in fire salamanders infected in the lab.
The source saysa steep decrease in fire salamander populations (Salamandra salamandra) that has brought this species to the edge of local extinction. Here we isolated and characterized a unique chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans sp. nov., from this salamander population. This chytrid causes erosive skin disease and rapid mortality in experimentally infected fire salamandersNote: '2013' is the paper's publication year. The abstract does not name the country, so the page does not tie this population to the Dutch one.
The page saysThe fungus, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans, was first isolated from a declining fire salamander population, and fire salamanders infected in the lab developed erosive skin disease and died quickly. Midwife toads infected in the same study resisted it, which, along with the fungus's preference for cooler temperatures, the authors took as a sign that it occupies a different niche from its relative Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis.
The source saysHere we isolated and characterized a unique chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans sp. nov., from this salamander population. This chytrid causes erosive skin disease and rapid mortality in experimentally infected fire salamanders ... However, the lower thermal growth preference of B. salamandrivorans, compared with B. dendrobatidis, and resistance of midwife toads (Alytes obstetricans) to experimental infection with B. salamandrivorans suggest differential niche occupation of the two chytrid fungi.Note: FAQ 3 answer

Source
09

Spitzen-van der Sluijs et al. 2013

Spitzen-van der Sluijs et al. (2013). Rapid enigmatic decline drives the fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra) to the edge of extinction in the Netherlands. Amphibia-Reptilia.

The page saysIn the Netherlands, at the edge of its range, the fire salamander was restricted to three small populations in the far south, and their numbers fell 96 percent from 2010, a decline its researchers could not pin on any known cause.
The source saysIn the Netherlands, the fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra) is at the edge of its geographic range and is restricted to three small populations in the extreme south of the country ... A sharp decline in numbers has been observed since 2010 (96%; ), but we were unable to attribute this to any known cause of amphibian decline

Source
10

Stegen et al. 2017

Stegen et al. (2017). Drivers of salamander extirpation mediated by Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans. Nature.

The page saysAfter it arrived in a Belgian population, two years of monitoring showed a rapid collapse with no sign of recovery, largely due to the survivors' lack of added resistance and a demographic shift that prevented compensation for the deaths.
The source sayswe monitored infection, disease and host population dynamics in a Belgian fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra) population for two years immediately after the first signs of infection. We show that arrival of this chytrid is associated with rapid population collapse without any sign of recovery, largely due to lack of increased resistance in the surviving salamanders and a demographic shift that prevents compensation for mortality

How the table was made: a writer drafted the profile from these sources and logged each claim with its quote, a reviewer with nothing but this table checked every sentence said no more than its quote, and a script confirmed each quote appears word for word in the source. The method is in the site'sAbout page.