MOLECULAR DNA VARIATION IN SALAMANDRA SALAMANDRA INFRAIMMACULATA FROM DIFFERENT HABITATS

Abstract

ABSTRACT Adults of Ihe subspecies Salamandra salamandra infraimmaculata were collected in Tel Dan, Mt. Meron (central Galilee), and Mt. Carmel, the southern limits of its distribution. Their lengths and weights were measured. Molecular DNA variation between and within the populations was studied by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA. Nineteen primers were examined, and seven were found suitable for the (RAPD) PCR reaction. Salamanders from semiarid habitats were significantly larger than those from a humid habitat. One to three bands that were found in salamanders from the semiarid habitats were absent from those from the humid habitat. Genetic variation was found between the two habitat types, but not between the two populations from the semiarid habitats. Band sharing between salamanders from semiarid habitats was 94%, whereas that between habitat types was significantly lower (85–86%).