Sexual behaviour and histological structure of reproductive organs in
males and females of Salamandrella keyserlingii were investigated duri
ng three seasons. It was found that internal fertilization takes place
in Salamandrella keyserlingii and the sexual cycle is 3 years long. D
uring the first year, the spermatocytes are accumulated in the male an
d meiosis takes place. In the spring of the second year, spermatogenes
is begins. It ends with the maturation of spermatozoons in July. In th
e middle of summer, females capture spermatozoons which penetrate thro
ugh oviducts to the body cavity where they are preserved during winter
. In the third year spring, females lay eggs fertilized by spermatozoo
ns which spent the winter in their body cavity. It was shown that duri
ng the spring games, the males imitate fertilization of the eggs thoug
h there are no mature spermatozoons in male body.