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Fire salamanders are indigenous to central Europe and reside in deciduous forests. Salamander secretions have been shown to be toxic and distasteful to mammals, birds, fishes, and even other amphibians. It has also been suggested that this alkaloid helps to prevent the salamander from contracting bacterial and fungal infections. [1] [2]
The fire salamander's primary alkaloid toxin, samandarin, causes strong muscle convulsions and hypertension combined with hyperventilation in all vertebrates. Through an analysis of the European fire salamander’s skin secretions, scientists have determined that another alkaloid, such as samandarone, is also released by the salamander. [14]
The parotoid gland (alternatively, paratoid gland) is an external skin gland on the back, neck, and shoulder of some frogs (especially toads), and salamanders. It can secrete a number of milky alkaloid substances (depending on the species) known collectively as bufotoxins , which act as neurotoxins to deter predation .
A skin-eating fungus is now a severe threat to salamander populations in Europe, according to a new study. Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans, or Bs, is deadly to almost all salamanders but appears ...
Salamandridae is a family of salamanders consisting of true salamanders and newts. Salamandrids are distinguished from other salamanders by the lack of rib or costal grooves along the sides of their bodies and by their rough skin. Their skin is very granular because of the number of poison glands. They also lack nasolabial grooves.
A mental gland is a part of the body found in many species of amphibians and reptiles. Mental glands produce chemicals that conspecific animals use to communicate . [ 1 ] [ 2 ]
Symptoms may vary depending on certain factors such as the size and age of the victim. Other than the first, more benign symptoms (such as a tingling or burning sensation in the eyes, mucous membranes, or in exposed wounds), the most frequently described symptoms in the medical literature are : paleness; bradycardia
The association of the salamander with fire appeared first in Antiquity with Aristotle (History of Animals 5, 17) and with Pliny the Elder writing in his Natural History (10, 86) that "A salamander is so cold that it puts out fire on contact. It vomits from its mouth a milky liquid; if this liquid touches any part of the human body, it causes ...