An ecological note on Triturus alpestris apuanus (Bonaparte) and Triturus cristatus carnifex (Laurenti) in the Garfagnana (Lucca, Central Italy)

Abstract We report the results of a preliminary study on the biology of Triturus alpestris apuanus (Bonaparte) and Triturus cristatus carnifex (Laurenti). The sample zone chosen was the Garfagnana. The water analysis of 14 stations, of three unoccupied ponds and of the “Troscia” pond, reveal that these Salamanders behave as “eury” species to the physico-chemical parameters of their environments. It is suggested that they belong to “biological accomodated” communities. Furthermore, three stations are considered with some detail which show particular characteristics, e.g. i) coexistence of newts and fishes; ii) very high salinity values; iii) coexistence of T. a. apuanus, T. c. carnifex and T. a. apuanus neotenic stage; iv) high degree of morphological polymorphism.