A Newly Observed November Dispersal of Juvenile Salamandra infraimmaculata from a Stone-Structured Breeding Site in Northern Israel

This study documents a previously unreported autumn dispersal pattern of juvenile Salamandra infraimmaculata in a stone-structured breeding pool in Kibbutz Sasa, northern Israel. Following the first substantial rainfall on November 14, 2025, a rapid decline in ambient temperature and an increase in relative humidity triggered the emergence of newly metamorphosed juveniles that remained in the pool’s wet and cool microhabitat throughout the summer. During a field survey on November 15, 2025, more than twenty juveniles (3.5–6 cm) were observed dispersing from the breeding pool toward terrestrial habitats, with some individuals crossing an adjacent road. One juvenile was found dead, demonstrating the risks associated with anthropogenic barriers. These observations revealed a dual migration pattern at the onset of winter rains: adults moving toward the pool to reproduce, and juveniles dispersing away from the pool for the first time. This is in addition to the previously described dispersal patterns in which juveniles leave breeding sites in late winter or spring. These findings suggest a unique ecological strategy in populations inhabiting stone-lined pools, where stable microhabitats delay juvenile dispersal until the first heavy rain. Delayed dispersal represents an adaptive response to unpredictable xeric environments.