Relic species, endemic of SW Caucasus. Subspecies M. c. janashvilii (Tartarashvili & Bakradze, 1989) at Mt. Mtirala near Batumi and probably along the Black Sea coast. Comosed of two evolutionary species, M. sp. 1 in the basin of Mtkvari (Kura) river and M. sp. 2 in the basin of Black Sea, non-recognisable morphologically (Tarkhnishvili et al., 2000). Closest relative: golden-striped salamander (Chioglossa lusitanica) from the NW Iberian peninsula. Separation from the sister taxon ca. 15 MY (Veith et al., 1997). Palaeonthological species M. cf. caucasica, Polish Carpathians, lower Pliocene (Sanchiz & Mlinarsky, 1978).

Stream-dwelling salamander of midde size, with a thin elongated body. Strictly nocturnal. Female deposits 10-25 relatively large eggs in hidden places in water or outside water in humid areas. Larval development lasts one to three years. 

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