Newts and Salamanders of Europe

Genus Euproctus - Brook Salamanders

Introduction

European Brook Salamanders are inhabitants of montane regions (usually 700-2,500m but sometimes between 250-3,000m) where they are closely associated with cold and oxygen-rich flowing water. They may also be found close to mountain lakes or occasionally damp gullies that retain moistness. Hibernation takes place below ground in winter, but they may also aestivate in summer.

Scientific Name	Common Name	Distribution	Size	Notes
Euproctus
Euproctus asper	Pyrenean Brook Salamander	France and Spain (Pyrenees)	Max 16½cm	Paratoid glands are absent in this species, which is also distinguished by a rough granular skin. Roughened warts are present on the skin which appear as fine white points immediately after shedding. The tail has a very slight dorsal fin. Coloration: dorsally grey, brown, olive, grey-black or black; cave-dwelling individuals may be partially unpigmented. Many animals, especially the young, have a brilliant yellow, partially broken, vertebral stripe, this often being lost with age. Ventral areas are yellow to orange, the gular fold in addition being flecked with dark brown.
E. a. asper
E. a. castelmouliensis				Described from the locality of Bagnères-de-Bigorre in the Pyrenees by Wolterstorff in 1925, but today no longer recognised as a valid subspecies.
E. montanus	Corsican Brook Salamander	Corsica	Max 11cm; avg. 7-9½cm	Similar in body form to E. platycephalus but the snout protrudes less and the head appears more domed. The tail is only laterally compressed along the last third of its length and the male spur on the hind leg is less pronounced.
E. platycephalus	Sardinian Brook Salamander, Flat-Headed Salamander	Sardinia	5-6"	Slender body with extremely flattened head: nose is protruding and reminiscent of that of a pike. Tail is laterally compressed. Males have a spur-like extension on the hind leg.

Bibliography

Reptiles and Amphibians, Vaclav Lanka and Zbysek Vit, Hamlyn Colour Guide, Prague, 1985

Die Amphibien Europas, Andreas and Christel Nöllert, Franckh-Kosmos, Stuttgart, 1992.

Reptiles and Amphibians of Britain and Europe, E N Arnold, J A Burton, D W Ovenden, 2002 edition.

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