Lycian Salamanders (Lyciasalamandra genus)

Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 162513042

Field surveys for “Molecular ecology and conservation of Lyciasalamandra species”

 

According to IUCN more research is needed on the distribution ranges of the all Lyciasalamandra species. Furthermore, the distribution boundaries between these species and the species specific ecological boundary limiting factors are not well known. Our proposed project will contribute to both of these critical knowledge gaps for this endangered amphibian clade by following these aims;

1 - Conduct field works and obtain ecological data and tissue specimens for ecological and next-generation DNA sequencing (NGS) analysis.

2 - Estimate the population size of Lycian species using mark-recapture studies.

3- Determine whether the currently recognized species of Lyciasalamandra are recognizable as distinct species.

4 - If the proposed species are best considered differentiated species, quantify the level of differentiation based on thousands of genetic markers.

5 - Are proposed Lyciasalamandra species ecologically differentiated with respect to climatic, vegetation, soil, and microhabitat variables?