The Monte Albo cave salamander, scientifically known as Speleomantes supramontes, is a small amphibian species belonging to the family Plethodontidae. It is native to the Monte Albo mountain range, located in the northeastern region of Sardinia, Italy. This particular salamander is adapted to living exclusively in underground cave habitats, displaying remarkable physiological and behavioral adaptations for subterranean life.
The Monte Albo cave salamander has a slender body measuring up to 10 centimeters in length and is primarily characterized by its pale brown to yellowish-brown coloration. It possesses well-developed limbs and tail, although the forelimbs are significantly shorter than the hindlimbs. The eyes are extremely reduced in size, and the skin is smooth and moist, enabling efficient absorption of moisture from its subterranean environment.
As an obligate cave dweller, the Monte Albo cave salamander exhibits specialized traits for life in the dark. It is an excellent climber, utilizing its elongated digits and adhesive pads to cling onto the cave walls. This species has also evolved to be completely blind, lacking functional eyes, which suggests a dependence on other sensory mechanisms such as touch and chemoreception for navigation and prey detection.
The diet of the Monte Albo cave salamander primarily consists of invertebrates such as insects and spiders, which are plentiful in the cave ecosystem. It is primarily nocturnal and exhibits low metabolic rates, likely an adaptation to the limited food resources available in its subterranean habitat.
Due to its restricted distribution and specific habitat requirements, the Monte Albo cave salamander is considered to be highly specialized and vulnerable to environmental disturbances. Consequently, it is listed as a protected species in Italy, and conservation efforts
