Formerly included in the genus Salamandra, this taxon was assigned to the genus Lyciasalamandra by Veith and Steinfartz (2004).

European regional assessment: Endangered (EN)
EU 27 regional assessment: Endangered (EN)

This species is assessed as Endangered (EN B1ab(iii)) because of its extent of occurrence (EOO) being smaller than 5,000 km², distributed in fewer than five locations, and is undergoing continuing decline in the area, extent and quality of habitat.

Within the European region, this species (as the endemic subspecies Lyciasalamandra luschani ssp. basoglui) is restricted to the Greek island of Kastellorizo (= Megisti) in the eastern Aegean, just off the coast of western Anatolia, Türkiye. Its extent of occurrence in Europe is 2,811 km² and it occurs at five locations.

Out of the European region, this species ranges from Fethiye to Finike, in southwestern Anatolia, Türkiye, where it apparently has a fragmented distribution that constitutes three distinct subspecies. Four new localities around the Babadağ Mountain near Fethiye (Muğla province) were newly recorded (Akman et al. 2013) and the distribution range of nominate subspecies (Lyciasalamandra luschani luschani) has extended its geographical range.

This species used to be abundant on Kastellorizo, but is less abundant now (Europe Red List Assessment Workshop September 2019). Due to ongoing decline in the extent and quality of its habitat and over-collection for scientific purposes, the population is inferred to be decreasing.

On the island of Megisti (Kastelorizo), this species generally inhabits rocky fields, but also can inhabit villages, if abundant shelter is available - loose rock walls and ruins (Polymeni 1988, 1994; Speybroeck et al. 2016). This species is associated with karstic limestone outcrops, in the boulder fields at the foot of karstic rock (Veith et al. 2001).

The species is viviparous, producing one or two fully metamorphosed young; the gestation period is about one year (Baran et al. 2021). It is active and quite abundant during the wet period of the year, which lasts from November to April in Mediterranean Type Ecosystems (Polymeni et al. 2011). Kastelorizo has no own water resources, and it is dependent on annual precipitation. Research findings illustrate a tendency of the region's climate towards semi-arid conditions with an intensification of drought conditions (Myronidis and Nikolaos 2021) what indicates continuous decline in habitat quality.

The main threats for this species are habitat degradation and/or destruction resulting from demolition of stone walls, fences, and old stone buildings (Sotiropoulos and Lymberakis 2015).

There was in the past collection for scientific and research purposes, but this is uncertain at present (P. Lymberakis pers. comm. October 2022). Prolonged drought and random extirpation as a result of its limited distribution (Sotiropoulos 2010) may occur.

The species was over-collected for scientific purposes in the past, but it is not known if this continues; there is evidence on continuing visits of non-Greek research teams arriving without proper licences (P. Lymberakis pers. comm. October 2022).

Conservation Actions In-Place
This species is present within a protected area in Greece. This species is considered Vulnerable D2 in the National Red List (Legakis and Maragou 2009).

Conservation Needed
Over-collection is a potential threat that requires monitoring.

Research Needed
More research is needed on the species distribution and population size variation along the years. If an outbreak of BSal was to occur within this species' range, long-term population monitoring would need to be carried out immediately and this species would need to be reassessed.