Habitat-structural and meteorological parameters influencing the activity and local distribution of the golden-striped salamander, Chioglossa lusitanica

We studied the activity pattern and small-scale spatial distribution of the golden-striped salamander, Chioglossa lusitanica, in a forest plot in nort hwestern Portugal. A large proportion of the local population inhabited an underground watercourse and foraged in the woodland, leaving and entering t he underground shelter through three holes. Surface activity - measured as the number of salamanders out in the open and their distance from the infer red shelter - was positively associated with relative humidity and precipit ation. A negative relationship between dispersion distance and temperature was found in females. Distances moved were higher for adult salamanders tha n for juveniles. Spatial models indicated that males, females and juveniles differed in habitat utilization. The frequency of occurrence of salamander s at the surface was highest in the area of the stream (adults and juvenile s), near dry-stone walls (males and juveniles), in areas with a higher than average density of trees (adults) and in areas of dense undergrowth (femal es). The results suggested that (1) the underground watercourse served as a retreat from which the salamanders would visit the surface, (2) dry stone walls functioned as retreats rather than as foraging grounds, and (3) trees and dense vegetation served as shelter for foraging salamanders. The resul ts are compared with those for phylogenetically related and morphologically similar species.