Caucasian Salamander
Mertensiella caucasica
The Caucasian salamander is a species of stream-dwelling salamander in the family Salamandridae. This is a salamander of medium size, with a thin, elongated body.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caucasian_salamander
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Amphibia
Order
Caudata
Family
Salamandridae
Genus
Mertensiella
Caucasian Salamander belongs to the family Salamandridae, order Caudata, within the Amphibia class.
Species Profile
The Caucasian salamander is a species of stream-dwelling salamander in the family Salamandridae. This is a salamander of medium size, with a thin, elongated body. It is a relict species, endemic to the south-western Caucasus, in Georgia and Turkey. The subspecies M. c. janashvilii is found at Mt. Mtirala near Batumi and probably along the Black Sea coast.
The Caucasian Salamander faces significant threats from habitat degradation and fragmentation due to deforestation, agricultural expansion, and infrastructure development across its limited range in the Caucasus region. Climate change poses additional risks by altering the cool, moist conditions essential for this species' survival, while pollution from agricultural runoff and urban development further degrades water quality in breeding habitats.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Inhabits cool, moist deciduous and mixed forests in mountainous regions of the Caucasus, typically found under logs, stones, and leaf litter near streams and springs at elevations between 400-2,000 meters. The species requires permanent or semi-permanent water sources for breeding and depends on stable forest microhabitats with high humidity levels.
Threats
Agricultural expansion and land conversion
Habitat loss and fragmentation from deforestation
Climate change altering temperature and moisture regimes
Infrastructure development and urbanization
Water pollution from agricultural and urban runoff
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Caucasian Salamander (Mertensiella caucasica). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/caucasian-salamander