Evidence of tail autotomy in the European plethodontid <em>Hydromantes</em> (<em>Atylodes</em>) <em>genei</em> (Temmick and Schlegel, 1838) (Amphibia: Urodela: Plethodontidae)

Abstract

Caudal autotomy is a defensive mechanism widely adopted by lungless salamanders (Plethodontidae) from the New World. In contrast, in Europe, this mechanism was not described until very recently for just one Sardinian species, Hydromantes (Speleomantes) sarrabusensis. We report on tail autotomy observed in another species from the same island, Hydromantes (Atylodes) genei. In Europe, self-amputation of the tail seems to be restricted to some plethodontids inhabiting Sardinia, while continental species do not exhibit analogous antipredator strategies.