Citizen science data reveals widespread sexual dichromatism in the European fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra).

ABSTRACT:

Background

Conspicuous color patterns are traditionally believed to advertise the toxicity of prey to potential predators. However, many aposematic species show drastic variation in coloration, indicating the possibility of other functions of coloration such as intraspecific communication. To study these other functions, we can investigate the influence of intrinsic (e.g., sex) and external factors (e.g., climate) on color variation. We used the aposematic European fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra) to study drivers of variation in the yellow-to-black ratio of the dorsal coloration based on citizen science data available in a new online database.

Results

Our results suggest a widespread sexual dichromatism in fire salamanders in Germany with males displaying a larger ye

SUBMITTER: Muhlenhaupt M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12616908 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature