Abstract
A new subspecies within the Salamandra algira species complex from north-western Africa is described. Previous molecular analysis showed that the populations of S. algira splendens from north-western Morocco consisted of two well supported clades: clade 1 distributed in the Rif Mountains, from Chefchaouen (type locality) to Al Hoceima, and clade 2, located southern from clade 1 being isolated in the northern and central Middle Atlas Mountains. Clade 2 is herein described as a distinct subspecies: Salamandra algira atlanticassp. nov. based on morphological data, allopatric range and molecular divergence. This new subspecies shows an uncorrected pairwise distance of 0.0265 from clade 1 based on cytochrome b DNA sequences. Salamandra algira atlanticassp. nov. is a slender and large sized salamander with a highly variable colouration pattern. It can be distinguished from S. algira splendens by the greater proportion of coral red in the background colouration, being the only known subspecies of S. algira in which coral red can exceed the proportion of black. Variable number (0–5) of yellow to golden yellow dorsal blotches, but usually in lower numbers than the nominotypical subspecies. Salamandra algira atlanticassp. nov. inhabits subhumid to humid forests and karstic systems at mid to high elevations. We briefly discuss the phylogenetic and taxonomic issues among the genus Salamandra which encompasses more valid species than currently recognised.
Highlights
The batrachofauna of North Africa was considered species-poor and mostly composed of species closely related to the European counterparts
The phylogenetic tree showed two well supported clades (Bayesian posterior probability, PP = 1.00) (Fig. 1) within the formerly taxonomic unit S. algira splendens: one belonging to the northern clade of the Rif Mountains, S. algira splendens sensu stricto, and the other one, distributed in the Middle Atlas Mountains, which is described as a new subspecies
The western Moroccan group of S. algira is composed by three main morphologically diagnosable mitochondrial clades having subspecific status: S. algira tingitana, S. algira splendens and S. algira atlantica ssp. nov
Summary
The batrachofauna of North Africa was considered species-poor and mostly composed of species closely related to the European counterparts. The genus is well diversified through the Iberian Peninsula, possibly caused by several events of allopatric speciation during the Plio-Pleistocene climatic cycles (Steinfartz et al 2000). In North Africa, S. algira is the sole representative of the genus (Escoriza and Ben Hassine 2019). The ancestor of S. algira possibly colonised the African continent during the Miocene from the Iberian Peninsula (Escoriza et al 2006; Beukema et al 2010). Later climatic fluctuations during the Pliocene and Pleistocene have driven allopatric genetic divergence in S. algira populations across the mountainous systems of northern Morocco and Algeria (Beukema et al 2010; Ben Hassine et al 2016). 140–178 ♂ 161–261 ♀ Grey-black or coral red 2–7 Number of dorsal yellow blotches Red spots White spots on flanks
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