Abstract

Metabolites were determined in skin mucus of the Near Eastern fire salamander (Salamandra infraimmaculata) by LC-MS/MS analysis. The salamanders were sampled from three different sites at the southern border of their distribution in Israel: Kibbutz Sasa in the Upper Galilee and Manof in the Lower Galilee-both semi-arid mountain areas, and Dan River (Dan), where water is available year-round at a constant temperature. In total, 1112 metabolites were detected in the secreted mucus on the salamanders’ backs. Many of them were known protective substances (SSP) found in Salamandra salamandra. Of the metabolites, 891 were found in all of the S. infraimmaculata populations, 119 were found only in the salamanders from Manof, 84 only in the Sasa population and 7 only in the Dan salamanders. The percentage of metabolites that were common to salamanders from Dan and Manof, and to those from Dan and Sasa, was significantly lower than that between the two mountain populations (Manof and Sasa). The chemical names and formulas of 14 metabolites found in S. infraimmaculata are described. Comparison of these 14 metabolites among populations from the different habitats showed no significant difference in metabolite level, except for 2 metabolites between Sasa and Dan-cholic acid and dihydronandrolone, and one between Manof and Dan-samanine.

Keywords:Salamandra infraimmaculata; Skin mucus; Protective Substances (SSP); Metabolites