Sexual Dimorphism in Dorsal Spot Number and Yellow Surface Area in Fire Salamanders, Salamandra Salamandra Terrestris Linnaeus, 1758 (caudata: Salamandridae)

.-Sexual selection in amphibians is often based on size and color dimorphism, and most studies have used anurans. Sexual selection in urodeles remains understudied. Dorsal coloration of Fire Salamanders (Salamandra salamandra) has traditionally been interpreted as an aposematic signal. However, recent findings suggest that dorsal pigmentation may also exhibit sexual dimorphism and be important in mate choice. Here, we investigated a large population of Salamandra salamandra terrestris to explore relationships among sex, dorsal spot number, and yellow surface area. We found significant sexual dimorphism: females displayed a higher number of dorsal spots whereas males exhibited greater overall yellow surface area coverage. Moreover, spot number was negatively correlated with yellow surface area in both sexes, indicating a trade-off between spot fragmentation and continuous yellow patches. These results expand upon previous research by contributing a much larger data set and jointly analyzing spot number and yellow surface area. They suggest that pigmentation in Fire Salamanders could function not only as a protective signal against predators but also as a sexually selected trait. The possible role of dorsal coloration in mate choice warrants further investigation.