Imperial cave salamander
Conservation status
Near Threatened (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Amphibia
Order:	Urodela
Family:	Plethodontidae
Subfamily:	Plethodontinae
Genus:	Speleomantes
Species:	S. imperialis
Binomial name
Speleomantes imperialis (Stefani, 1969)
Dark green: areas of habitation
Synonyms[2]
Hydromantes genei imperialis Stefani, 1969 Hydromantes genei funereus Stefani, 1969 Hydromantes imperialis — Lanza and Vanni, 1981

The imperial cave salamander, imperial salamander, odorous cave salamander, or scented cave salamander (Speleomantes imperialis) is a species of salamander in the family Plethodontidae. It is endemic to Sardinia.^[1][2]

Habitat and conservation

Speleomantes imperialis inhabits humid rocky outcrops, caves, crevices, and forested areas near streams at elevations of 7–1,170 m (23–3,839 ft) above sea level. It lays a few terrestrial eggs that have direct development^[1] (i.e., there is no free-living larval stage^[3]). While common within its limited range and not facing major threats, it can suffer localized habitat loss and illegal collection. It occurs in the National Park of the Gulf of Orosei and Gennargentu and the Monte Sette Fratelli Regional Park, probably also the Giara di Gesturi Regional Park.^[1]