Evidence of tail autotomy in the European plethodontid Hydromantes (Atylodes) genei (Temmick and Schlegel, 1838) (Amphibia: Urodela: Plethodontidae)

Caudal autotomy is a defensive mechanism widely adopted by lungless salamanders (Plethodontidae) from the New World. In contrast, in Europe, this mechanism was not described until very recently for just one Sardinian species, Hydroman-tes (Speleomantes) sarrabusensis. We report on tail autotomy observed in another species from the same island, Hydromantes (Atylodes) genei. In Europe, self-amputation of the tail seems to be restricted to some plethodontids inhabiting Sardinia, while continental species do not exhibit analogous antipredator strategies. © Firenze University Press.