Unique and Under Pressure: Conservation Genetics of an Isolated Alpine Salamander Population.

ABSTRACT: The Alpine salamander (Salamandra atra) is a cold-adapted amphibian with low dispersal capacity, endemic to the Alps and Dinarides. Isolated populations at the range's margins are especially vulnerable to habitat fragmentation and genetic erosion. We investigated the population genetic structure of S. atra in the Koralpe, a biogeographically important mountain range in southeastern Austria. Using mitochondrial DNA, we found that the Koralpe population harbors unique genetic variants not shared with other known populations. Strong genetic differentiation and low connectivity among Koralpe subpopulations, inferred from microsatellites, indicate long-term isolation, likely caused by unsuitable intervening habitats and the species' limited dispersal capacity. Although the estimat

SUBMITTER: Koblmuller S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12562145 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature