Health status of the European blind cave salamander

What is it about?

In the present study, we address the question of the health status of an endangered cave amphibian - the European blind cave salamander (Proteus anguinus) or olm, which is threatened by increasing anthropogenic pollution of groundwater and climate change. Despite its world-wide recognition as the first described underground species and the largest strictly subterranean tetarpod, several segments of the olm’s biology, including haematology and reference values of its blood cell counts, are not known. In the present study, we used a non-destructive blood sampling from captured and the same captive animals from the Planina-Postojna cave system in central Slovenia, which has the largest known populations of olms. We performed detailed blood cell morphology and morphometry, and successfully established reference values for differential blood cell counts to further monitor health status and possible changes due to anthropogenic pressure in wild populations. We also examined the effects of long-term captivity on leucocyte profiles to assess chronic stress and animal welfare.

Featured Image

Photo by Timo Volz on Unsplash

Photo by Timo Volz on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Our results make an important contribution to ongoing efforts to conserve this endangered species in the wild and ensure its overall welfare in captivity, which is crucial for sustainable ex-situ breeding of this unique and highly endemic amphibian species.