Phylogenomic inference of species and subspecies diversity in the Palearctic salamander genus Salamandra

The salamander genus Salamandra is widespread across Europe, North Africa, and the Near East renowned for its conspicuous polymorphic colouration diversity of reproductive modes. phylogenetic relationships within genus, especially in highly species S. salamandra, have been very challenging to elucidate, leaving real evolutionary history classification at subspecies levels a topic debate contention. However, distribution delimitation are critically important identifying evolutionarily significant units conservation management, light threats posed by pathogenic chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans that causing massive declines salamandra populations central Europe. Here, we conducted phylogenomic analysis from taxonomic geographic breadth entire range. Bayesian, maximum likelihood network-based analyses up 4905 ddRADseq-loci (294,300 nucleotides sequence) supported distinctiveness all currently recognised (Salamandra algira, atra, corsica, infraimmaculata, lanzai, salamandra), five which multiple exemplars were confirmed as monophyletic. Within two main clades can be distinguished: one clade with Apenninic s. gigliolii nested Iberian bernardezi/fastuosa; second comprising other Iberian, Central European subspecies. Our revealed some recognized paraphyletic may require revision, Central- Eastern-European being poorly differentiated analysed genomic markers. longirostris – sometimes considered separate was consistent status. identified between provide valuable context future systematic biogeographic studies, help elucidate critical taxonomy.