|
Triturus (Rafinesque, 1815), Mesotriton
(Bolkay, 1927), Ommatotriton (Gray, 1850), and Lissotriton (Bell, 1839)
Triturus:
Triturus marmoratus (Latreille, 1800) Marbled Newt
Triturus pygmaeus (Wolterstorff, 1905) Pygmy Marbled Newt
"Cristatus Group"
Triturus carnifex (Laurenti, 1768) Italian Crested Newt
Triturus cristatus
(Laurenti, 1768) Northern Crested Newt
Triturus dobrogicus
(Kiritzescu, 1903) Danube Crested Newt
Triturus karelinii
(Strauch, 1870) Southern Crested Newt
Mesotriton:
Mesotriton alpestris (Laurenti, 1768) Alpine Newt
Ommatotriton:
Ommatotrition ophryticus (Berthold,
1846) Northern Banded New
Ommatotriton vittatus (Gray, 1835) Southern Banded Newt Lissotriton:
Lissotriton boscai (Lataste, 1879) Bosca's Newt
Lissotriton helveticus (Razoumowsky, 1789) Palmate Newt
Lissotriton italicus (Peracca, 1898) Italian Newt
Lissotriton montandoni (Boulenger, 1880) Carpathian Newt
Lissotriton vulgaris(Linnaeus, 1758) Smooth Newt
Introduction to European Newts
 European
newts are among the most complex, and interesting
newts in the world. Males of many species develop flamboyant dorsal crests
and colors during the breeding season, and partake in highly
complex and advanced courtship displays. The elaborate mating
behaviors and characteristics of the European newts have been studied
and documented in great detail throughout history. This account
includes a general breeding chart and description for all species, as
adapted from Griffiths, 1996.
The classification of European newts has fluctuated throughout history
based on morphological and genetic discoveries. Formerly, the genus Triturus
included all 13 species, and was informally divided into two groups based on morphological similarities; the
"Small Bodied Group" and the "Large Bodied Group". The
Small Bodied Group consisted of T. boscai, T. helveticus,
T. italicus, T. montandoni, and T. vulgaris, and the
Large Bodied Group consisted
of T. alpestris, T. cristatus, T. carnifex, T.
dobrogicus, T. karelinii, T. marmoratus, T. pygmaeus,
and T. vittatus. Although in terms of actual size, T. alpestris
may seem as though they should be in the "Small Bodied Group", they
were placed in the Large Bodied Group based on morphological and
genetic characteristics. T.
alpestris has also been placed in it's own group, separate from
the large or small bodied groups. Additionally, countless subspecies
modifications have occurred through history; a taxonomic area that
continues to change relatively frequently today.Recently, García-París, 2004, reevaluated the genus Triturus,
placing T. alpestris in the formerly recognized genus Mesotriton,
and also removing the entire "Small Bodied Group" to the
formerly recognized genus Lissotriton. The remaining
"Large Bodied Group" now comprises the genus Triturus.
More recently, T. vittatus complex has been moved to its own
genus, Ommatotriton, with T. v. ophryticus being
elevated to the species level, Ommatotriton ophryticus. This article will adhere to this taxonomic structure.
Within the genus Triturus, there is an informal division that separates T. cristatus, T. carnifex, T.
dobrogicus, and T. karelinii into what has been dubbed the "Cristatus
Group". The latter three species were at one time considered subspecies of T.
cristatus. All are very similar in appearance and breeding behavior,
and all four species are capable of hybridizing. T.
cristatus also hybridizes with T. marmoratus where their habitats
overlap in northern France (see photo of Triturus cristatus X Triturus
marmoratus below).
 European
Newts are distributed throughout nearly all of Europe, and
parts of the Middle East and Russia. The image to the left shows an overlapping distribution map
of the territory spanned by newts of the genera Triturus,
Lissotriton, Mesotriton, and Ommatotriton (click to enlarge). Lissotriton vulgaris,
the Smooth Newt, has the largest territory, spanning from western Europe to
the Middle East, and upward into Russia. Triturus pygmaeus occupies the
smallest area, the southern 3/4 of Portugal.
With the exception of a few species/subspecies, European newts
inhabit temperate zones, and even rather cold climates. The
terrestrial habitat may consist of rocky mountain zones, deciduous
woodlands, grasslands, limestone areas, and even backyard gardens. Many
species are dormant during the winter, entering the breeding season shortly
thereafter in early spring. The aquatic habitat varies widely, and most species will enter any
suitable water source during the breeding season, including water troughs, vernal ponds, permanent
ponds, lakes, streams, ditches, and the occasional large puddle. There are a
few wholly neotenic subspecies, a characteristic that also occurs
in isolated instances among most species.
Lissotriton (Bell, 1839)
Lissotriton boscai (Lataste,
1879) Bosca's Newt
Formerly Triturus boscai
Taxonomic Synonyms: Pelonectes boscai (Lataste In
Tournville, 1879), Triton maltzani (Boettger, 1879), Triton
palmatus var. boscai (Boettger, 1879), Molge boscae (Boulenger,
1882), Triton boscae (Camerano, 1885(), Triton boscai (Schultze,
1891), Triton boscae (Wolterstorff, 1901), Triton boscai (Wolterstorff,
1902), Triturus boscai (Dunn, 1918), Triton (Palaeotriton)
boscai (Bokay, 1928), Triturus (Palaeotriton) boscai (Thorn,
1968)
Vernacular Names: Bosca's Newt
Lissotriton boscai are brown or olive colored dorsally, with
dark spots. The belly is bright orange or yellow, also with spots. The
belly coloration fades around the throat region. There are two light
colored lateral stripes separating the bright belly color from the
inconspicuous dorsal coloration. Breeding males lack dorsal crests, but
do produce a low crest along the tail. This is accompanied by a bright
white protuberance on the tip of the tail, which distinguishes L.
boscai from the similar looking L. vulgaris and L. helveticus.
Males also possess dorsolateral ridges that give the body a
square-shaped appearance. Another distinguishing factor is the absence
of a dark stripe running from the nares through the eyes. Females may possess a yellow dorsal
stripe, and are usually darker than males. Adults may reach up to 3.54 (9.00cm).
Lissotriton boscai are found in the Iberian Peninsula, in most of
Portugal and a small portion of bordering Spain. Populations in Portugal
are found in Galicia, Asturias, Leon Zamora, Salamanca, Guadarrama
Mountains, Toledo Mountains, Estremadura, Toledo, Ciudad Real, and
western Andalucia (AmphibiaWeb). In Portugal, L. boscai can be
found in all areas, with concentrations in the northern areas. L.
boscai is sympatric with T. marmoratus, T. pygmaeus, L.
helveticus, Chioglossa lusitanica, and Salamandra
salamandra.
L. boscai prefer shallow ponds with thick vegetation, but can
be found in running waters, temporary pools, ditches, and other water
bodies during the breeding season. L. boscai are typical forest
dwellers outside of the breeding season, often being found in cool, damp
hiding places near ponds.
Lissotriton helveticus (Razoumowsky,
1789) Palmate Newt
Formerly Triturus helveticus
Taxonomic Synonyms: Lacerta helvetics (Razoumovsky,
1789), Salamandra palmata (Schneider, 1799), Salamandra palmipes
(Latreille, 1800), Molge palmata (Merrem, 1820), Triton palmatus
(Millet de la Turtaudiere, 1828), Lissotriton palmipes (Bell,
1839), Lophinus palmatus (Gray, 1850), Triton laevis (Higginbottom,
1853), Triton minor (Higginbottom, 1853), Triton helveticus (Leydig,
1867), Triton alonsoi (Seoane, 1885), Triton paradoxus (Durigen,
1897), Triton palmatus (Wolterstorff, 1901), Diemictylus
palmatus (Fowler & Dunn, 1917), Triturus helveticus (Dunn,
1918), Triturus palmatus sequeirai (Mertens, 1925), Triturus
vulgaris (Bolkay, 1927), Triturus helveticus helveticus (Mertens
& Muller, 1928), Triturus helveticus sequeirai (Mertens
& Muller, 1928), Triturus helveticus punctillatus (Schmidtler,
1970), Triturus helveticus alonsoi (Salvador Milla, 1974),
Triturus (Palaeotriton) helveticus (MacGregor, Sessions, and
Arntzen, 1990)
Vernacular Names: Palmate Newt, Palmated Newt, Iberian Palmate
Newt
L. helveticus
have smooth, olive or brown colored dorsa, usually with black
spotting, and two rows of spots on each side of the tail. Breeding males develop a low dorsal and tail
crest, webbed hind toes, and a fine filament on the end of the tail. The belly is
bright orange or yellow with dark spots, and fades at the throat.
The throat is typically unspotted, which distinguishes L. helveticus
from the similar looking L. vulgaris. L. helveticus do possess a black
line running from the nares through the eyes which, along with the presence of a low dorsal crest,
distinguishes them from L. boscai.
Males also possess dorsolateral ridges that give the body a
square-shaped appearance. Females can be distinguished from males
year round by their lighter colored cloaca. Adults may reach up to 3.75 inches (9.5cm).
L. helveticus can be found marshes, forests, and farm lands
during the terrestrial phase. L. helveticus prefers still, permanent
ponds for breeding. L. helveticus are sympatric with L.
vulgaris, with whom it is capable of hybridizing with.
| Subspecies of Lissotriton
helveticus
|
Lissotriton helveticus helveticus (Razoumowsky,
1789)
Western Europe, and absent from the northwestern Iberian Peninsula area.
|
Lissotriton helveticus punctillatus (Schmidtler,
1970)
Found in Sierra de la Demanda, Spain.
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Lissotriton helveticus alonsai (=sequeirai) (Seoane,
1885)
Northern Portugal to northwestern Spain.
|
Lissotriton italicus (Peracca,
1898) Italian Newt
Formerly Triturus italicus
Taxonomic Synonyms: Molge italica (Peracca, 1898),
Triton italicus (Wolterstorff, 1912), Molge italica molisana (Altobello,
1926), Triton italicus (Bolkay, 1928), Triturus italicus (Mertens
& Muller, 1928), Triturus italicus (Bolkay, 1928), Triturus
vulgaris italicus (Mertens & Wermuth, 1960), Triturus
italicus (MacGregor, Sessions, and Arntzen, 1990)
Vernacular Names: Italian Newt, South Italian Newt
L. italicus are the common olive or brown color dorsally, with dark spotting in male
specimens.
Females have smaller, faded spots that are easily distinguished from the males pattern.
The belly is bright orange or yellow, also with dark spotting. The belly coloration
becomes darker around the throat region. Breeding males lack dorsal crests,
but produce low crests along the tail, and a light colored, pearly
hue along the flanks. Both sexes develop a fine filament on the tip of the tail during
the aquatic phase. L. helveticus can be distinguished from other species by the presence of
a small yellow patch behind the eye. Adults may reach 3.15 inches (8.00cm), with males
slightly smaller and less robust.
L. italicus are found throughout central and southern Italy, with higher
concentrations at lower altitudes. Although not necessarily abundant, L. italicus are more common in the southern areas, including the Calabrian and
Alburni mountains, and are considered rare in central Italy, especially around the
Italian Apennines.
This species has seen remarkable declines in Calabria, and Abruzzo
Mountains, where it has disappeared completely in some areas.
L. italicus can be found in warmer permanent ponds, lakes, ditches, flooded farm lands,
temporary ponds, and other water bodies during the breeding season.
During the terrestrial season, L. italicus are typical forest
dwellers, often found hiding amongst thick vegetation shelters.
Lissotriton montandoni (Boulenger, 1880) Carpathian Newt
Formerly Triturus montandoni
Taxonomic Synonyms: Molge italica (Peracca, 1898),
Triton italicus (Wolterstorff, 1912), Molge italica molisana (Altobello,
1926), Triton italicus (Bolkay, 1928), Triturus italicus (Mertens
& Muller, 1928), Triturus italicus (Bolkay, 1928), Triturus
vulgaris italicus (Mertens & Wermuth, 1960), Triturus
italicus (MacGregor, Sessions, and Arntzen, 1990)
Vernacular Names: Italian Newt, South Italian Newt
Lissotriton montandoni slightly rougher, brownish-tan skin,
with irregular, thick lines or blotches of darker color running
dorsolaterally from the end of the tail to the back of the head.
The belly is orange or yellowish that fades around the anterior
region. Adults may reach up to 4 inches (10cm), with males
slightly smaller. During the breeding season, males develop a low,
straight crest, short tail filament, and ridges along the sides of
the body. These ridges are thought to aid in directing pheromones
when tail-fanning. Male may also develop a white or blue
coloration on the tail.
L. montandoni are found in Southern Poland, Romania, Czech
Republic, and the Carpathian, Tatra, and Oder Mountains of Slovakia.
Populations are concentrated in the Ukrainian Carpathians.
L. montandoni will breed in smaller, temporary or permanent
ponds, ditches, swamps, puddles, or slow-moving streams. L.
montandoni are a mountain species, often found found in forestlands
and other vegetated areas during the terrestrial season. Some
territories overlap with M. alpestris, T. cristatus, and L.
vulgaris. The latter of which L. montandoni hybridizes with
where territories overlap. L. montandoni may hibernate on land
though the winter months, are more diurnal than other
Triturus species.
Lissotriton vulgaris (Linnaeus, 1758) Smooth
Newt
Formerly Triturus vulgaris
Taxonomic Synonyms: Lacerta vulgaris (Linnaeus,
1758), Lacerta palustris (Linnaeus, 1758), Triton palustris (Laurenti,
1768), Triton parisinus (Laurenti, 1768), Salamandra exigua (Laurenti,
1768), Gecko triton (Myer, 1795), Gecko aquaticus (Meyer, 1795),
Salamandra taeniata (Schneider, 1799), Salamandra palustris
(Schneider, 1799), Lacerta triton (Retzius, 1800), Salamandra
abdominalis (Latreille, 1800), Salamandra punctata (Latreille,
1800), Salamandra elegans (Daudin, 1803), Molge punctata (Merrem,
1820), Molge palustris (Merrem, 1820), Molge cinerea (Merrem,
1820), Triton taeniatus (Goldfuss, 1820), Lacerta taeniata
(Sturm, 1828), Triton abdominalis (Millet de la Turtaudiere,
1828), Triton vulgaris (Fleming, 1828), Triton aquaticus
(Fleming, 1828), Triton punctatus (Millet de la Turtaudiere,
1828), Molge taeniata (Gravenhorst, 1829), Salamandra vulgaris
(Gray In Cuvier, 1831), Salamandra lacepedii (Andrzejowski,
1832), Triton (Geotriton) exiguus (Bonaparte, 1832), Triton
exigus (Schinz, 1833), Triton lobatus (Otth In Tschudi, 1838),
Lissotriton punctatus (Gray, 1850), Triton laevis (Higginbottom,
1853), Pyronicia punctata (Gray, 1858), Triton lobatus (Fatio,
1872), Triton palmatus (Fatio, 1872), Molge vulgaris (Boulenger,
1882), Molge vulgaris var. meridionalis (Boulenger, 1882),
Triton vulgaris (Wolterstorff, 1901), Molge vulgaris spp.
kapelana (Mehely, 1904), Triton vulgaris graeca (Wolterstorff,
1906), Triton vulgaris spp. typica forma kammereri (Wolterstorff,
1907), Triton vulgaris dalmatica (Kolombatovic, 1907),
Triton vulgaris intermedia (Kolombatovic, 1907), Triton
vulgaris spp. typica forma kammereri (Wolterstorff, 1908),
Triton vulgaris graeca forma tomasinii (Wolterstorff, 1908),
Triton vulgaris graeca forma corcyrensis (Wolterstorff, 1908),
Triton meridionalis (Schreiber, 1912), Triton taeniatus var.
orientalis (Schreiber, 1912), Triton meridionalis var. graeca
(Schreiber, 1912), Triton vulgaris meridionalis (Wolterstorff,
1912), Triton meridionalis var. graeca forma tomasinii
(Schreiber, 1912), Triton vulgaris spp. typica forma lantzi (Wolterstorff,
1914), Triton vulgaris forma schreiberi (Wolterstorff, 1914),
Triturus vulgaris (Dunn, 1918), Molge vulgaris vulgaris (Nikolskii,
1918), Molge vulgaris lantzi (Nikolskii, 1918), Molge vulgaris
kammereri (Nikolskii, 1918), Triturus vulgaris boulengeri (Dunn,
1918), Molge vulgaris meridionalis (Nikolskii, 1918), Triton
vulgaris forma schreiberi (Wolterstorff, 1925), Triton vulgaris
spp. meridionalis (Wolterstorff, 1925), Triton vulgaris spp.
typica forma dalmatica (Wolterstorff, 1925), Triton palmatus (Bolkay,
1927), Triton vulgaris graecus (Bolkay, 1927), Triturus vulgaris
vulgaris (Mertens & Muller, 1928), Triton vulgaris
meridionalis (Bolkay, 1928), Triton vulgaris vulgaris (Bolkay,
1928), Triturus vulgaris graecus (Mertens & Muller, 1928),
Triturus vulgaris kapelanus (Mertens & Muller, 1928),
Triturus vulgaris tomasinii (Mertens & Muller, 1928),
Spelerpes ferrugineus (Lazzarini, 1930), Triton intermedius (Szeliga-mierzeyewksi
& Ulasiewicz, 1931), Triton hoffmanni (Szeliga-mierzeyewksi
& Ulasiewicz, 1931), Triton vulgaris vulgaris forma lantzi (Herre,
1933), Triturus vulgaris meridionalis (Herre, 1933), Triturus
vulgaris (Wolterstorff & Herre, 1935), Triturus vulgaris
schreiberi (Mertens & Muller, 1940), Triturus vulgaris
lantzi (Krasavtsev, 1940), Triturus meridionalis graeca (Bodenheimer,
1944), Triturus vulgaris ampelensis (Fuhn, 1951), Triturus
vulgaris kosswigi (Freytag, 1955), Hydromantes genei ferrugineus
(Aellen, 1958), Triturus vulgaris borealis (Kauri In Gislen
& Kauri, 1959), Triturus vulgaris ampelensis (Mertens &
Wermuth, 1960), Triturus vulgaris tataiensis (Dely, 1967),
Triturus vulgaris schmidtleri (Raxworthy, 1988), Triturus
vulgaris (MacGregor, Sessions, and Arntzen, 1990), Triturus
vulgaris schmidtlerorum (Thorn & Raffaelli,
2000)
Vernacular Names: Smooth Newt, Common Smooth Newt, Rumanian Smooth
Newt (spp. ampelensis), Dalmatian Smooth Newt (spp.
dalmaticus), Greek Newt (spp. graecus), Caucasian
Smooth Newt (spp. lantzi), Southern Smooth Newt (spp.
meridionalis), Schreiber's Smooth Newt (spp. schreiberi)
Lissotriton vulgaris females have smooth, olive or brown colored
skin, usually with faint, darker colored mottling, and may possess
two dark, dorsolateral lines down the sides of the spine. Females
also typically possess spotted throats, a characteristic that
distinguishes them from the similar looking L. helveticus.
Males possess
the same colored skin, but have larger, more distinct black spots
and markings all year round. Breeding males develop low, semi-wavy,
or notched crests from the back of the head to the tip of tail, a white
coloration along the tail, flaps of skin around the hind toes, and
sometimes blue and red coloration along the tail. The subspecies L.
v. graecus, L. v. kosswigi, and L. v. meridionalis
have less wavy crests than the other subspecies. The belly is
bright orange or yellow, usually with black spots. Juveniles
resemble adult females in coloration, but may also have a yellow
dorsal stripe. L. vulgaris do possess a black
line running from the nares through the eyes which, along with the presence of a low dorsal crest,
distinguishes them from L. boscai. As mentioned earlier, L.
vulgaris females can be distinguished from L. helveticus
females by the presence of a spotted throat. Male L. helveticus can be distinguished from male L. vulgaris by the
presence of a fine tail filament and webbed hind toes during the
breeding season. Neoteny is relatively common in this species.
Adults may reach up to 4.3 inches (11cm), except the subspecies
L. v. schmidtlerorum, which only reaches around 2 inches
(5.1cm). Females are slightly smaller than males.
L. vulgaris are found in all of Europe, except Spain, Portugal,
southern France, and southern Italy. The range extends into Asia Minor,
Turkey, and England. L. v. vulgaris is found as far northeast
as Siberia. L. vulgaris prefer fishless, deep ponds, but can be
found vernal pools, ditches, and other temporary water areas
during the breeding season. L. vulgaris often return to the
same breeding ponds each season. Most subspecies hibernate on land
during cold winters. L. vulgaris are found in wooded areas,
open plains, bushlands, parks, gardens, fields, and river valleys.
| Subspecies of Lissotriton
vulgaris
|
Lissotriton vulgaris ampelensis (Fuhn, 1951)
Found throughout northern Romania.
|
Lissotriton vulgaris graecus (Bolkay, 1927)
Found throughout Greece, Albania, Macedonia, and the Ionian Islands, Bulgaria.
As mentioned earlier, males of this subspecies possess a less-wavy crest than most
other subspecies.
|
Lissotriton vulgaris kosswigi (Freytag, 1955)
Found along the southwestern edges of the Black Sea,
Turkey. Males of this subspecies also possess less-wavy crests than
most other subspecies.
|
Lissotriton vulgaris lantzi (Wolterstorff, 1914)
Found along the eastern edges of the Black Sea, west and
central Caucasus.
|
Lissotriton vulgaris meridionalis (Boulenger, 1882)
This subspecies ranges from southern Switzerland, southeast into
Northern Italy, and Slovenia. T. v. meridionalis also possess
a straighter crest.
|
Lissotriton vulgaris schmidtlerorum (Thorn & Raffaelli, 2000)
Found around the western tip of Turkey. This subspecies is
considered the "Dwarf" subspecies, and may only
reach lengths of 2 inches as adults.
|
Lissotriton vulgaris vulgaris (Linnaeus, 1758)
The nominate form is found most of the northwest territory,
central and eastern Europe into Asia Minor.
|
Mesotriton (Bolkay, 1927)
Mesotriton alpestris (Laurenti, 1768) Alpine Newt
Formerly Triturus alpestris
Taxonomic Synonyms: Triton alpestris (Laurenti,
1768), Triton wurfbainii (Laurenti, 1768), Triton salamandroides
(Laurenti, 1768), Lacerta gyrinoides (Merrem, 1789), Gecko
gyrinoides (Meyer, 1795), Salamandra alpestris (Schneider,
1799), Salamandra ignea (Bechstein, 1800), Salamandra cincta (Latreille,
1800), Salamandra wufrbaini (Sonnini de Manoncourt &
Latreille, 1801), Salamandra rubriventris (Daudin, 1803), Molge
ignea (Merrem, 1820), Molge alpestris (Merrem, 1820), Molge
wurfbaini (Merrem, 1820), Triton igneus (Goldfuss, 1820), Triton
zonarius (Millet de la Turtaudiere, 1828), Triton wurfbeinii (Schinz,
1833), Triton apuanus (Bonaparte, 1839), Triton alpestris (Gray,
1850), Molge triton (Gray, 1850), Triton alpestris apuanus
(Gray, 1850), Hemitriton alpestris (Duges, 1852), Triton
neglectus (Jan, 1857), Triton alpestris (Fatio, 1872), Molge
alpestris (Boulenger, 1882), Triton alpestris var. immaculatus (Durigen,
1897), Triton alpestris (Wolterstorff, 1901), Molge alpestris
var. reiseri (Werner, 1902), Triton alpestris var. apuanus
(Schreiber, 1912), Triton alpestris var. reiseri (Schreiber,
1912), Triturus alpestris (Dunn, 1918), Molge reiseri (Bolkay,
1919), Triturus alpestris alpestris (Mertens, 1923), Triturus
alpestris reiseri (Wolterstorff, 1925), Triton alpestris (Bolkay,
1927), Triton alpestris alpestris (Bolkay, 1927), Triton
alpestris reiseri (Bolkay, 1927), Triturus (=Triton) alpestris
subsp. cyreni (Wolterstorff, 1932), Triturus alpestris subsp.
apuana (Wolterstorff, 1934), Triton alpestris subsp. ocellata (Wolterstorff,
1934), Triturus alpestris subsp. graeca (Wolterstorff, 1934),
Triturus alpestris lacustris (Seliskar & Pehani, 1935),
Triton alpestris lacus nigri (Seliskar & Pehani, 1935),
Triturus alpestris veluchiensis (Wolterstorff, 1935), Triturus
alpestrus apuanus (Mertens & Muller, 1940), Triturus
alpestris cyreni (Mertens & Muller, 1940), Triturus
alpestris montenegrinus (Radovanovic, 1951), Triturus alpestris
winterli (Sochurek, 1956), Triturus alpestris bukkienis (Dely,
1960), Triturus alpestris carpathicus (Dely, 1960), Triturus
alpestris satoriensis (Dely, 1960), Triturus alpestris lacus-nigri
(Dely, 1960), Triturus alestris (Mertens & Wermuth, 1960),
Triturus alpestris serdarus (Radovanovic, 1961), Triturus
alpestris piperianus (Radovanovic, 1961), Triturus alpestris
montenigrus (Steward, 1969), Triturus alpestris inexpectatus
(Dubois & Breuil, 1983), Triturus alpestris (MacGregor,
Sessions, and Arntzan, 1990)
Vernacular Names: Alpine Newt, Italian Alpine Newt (spp. apuanus),
Spanish Alpine Newt (spp. cyreni), Balkan Alpine Newt (spp.
lacusnigri), Yogoslavian Alpine Newt (spp. lacusnigri),
Montenegran Alpine Newt (spp. montenigrinus), Bosnian
Alpine Newt (spp. reiseri), Greek Alpine Newt (spp.
veluchiensis), Calabrian Alpine Newt (spp. inexpectatus)
In general, M. alpestris are
bluish-gray dorsally, with a marbled pattern of darker
coloration. Males possess black spots on a white background on
the sides of the abdomen, lower part of the face, and on the
toes, that resembles a black and white checkerboard. The belly
of both males and females is bright, solid orange. Adult males
can be distinguished from females by their smaller size, usually
brighter coloration, alternating black & whitish-yellow
dorsal crest during the breeding season, and more pronounced
black spotting along the face, and sides of the abdomen. M.
alpestris males develop a small, rather straight crest that extends along
the tail during the breeding season. During the rest of the
year, males have a remnant dorsal stripe of alternating dark and
whitish coloration, which can distinguish males from females
outside of the breeding season. Another remarkable dimorphic
characteristic in alpine newts is the production of a beautiful
pearly blue sheen on the body, as can be seen in the photo at
bottom right, which depicts a male M. alpestris apuanus
in breeding attire. Adults may reach up to 4.0-5.0
inches(10.2-13.0cm), with males slightly smaller. Neoteny is
common in this species.
Alpine Newts are found in western Ukraine to southern Denmark,
northern and eastern France, Belgium, Netherlands, northern
Italy, and the Balkan Peninsula from western Bulgaria and
Slovenia to central Greece (Frost, 2004). Isolated populations
are also found in northwestern Spain and southern England.
|
Subspecies of Mesotriton alpestris
|
Mesotriton alpestris alpestris (Laurenti,
1768) Alpine Newt
The nominate form has the widest distribution of all subspecies, and
ranges from central Europe, east to the Ukraine, and south to the Balkan
peninsula, and includes Denmark, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Holland,
Greece eastern Russia. This subspecies is average sized for Alpine
Newts, reaching lengths up to 4.5 inches (11.4cm). Physical
characteristics include a dark to medium bluish-gray dorsum with the
typical marbled patter, and bright solid orange belly.
|
Mesotriton alpestris apuanus
(Gray, 1850) Italian Alpine Newt
The Italian Alpine Newt is found in Southeast France and
Northern Italy. M. a. apuanus is slightly smaller
than M. a. alpestris, rarely exceeding 4.0 inches
(10cm). M. a. apuanus is more aquatic than the M.
a. alpestris. During the breeding season, males take on
a pearly blue color, as can be seen in the above photo.
|
Mesotriton alpestris cyreni (Mertens
& Muller, 1940) Spanish Alpine Newt
The Spanish Alpine Newt is found in Spain, namely around Lake Ercina and
connecting Lakes, as well as the southwest Pyrenees Mountains,
Cantabrian Mountains, and Sierra de Guadarrama in Segovia. M. a.
cyreni are isolated from the other subspecies. This subspecies is
thought to have been isolated around the end of the Pleistocene era. M.
a. cyreni are similar in appearance to the Nominate Form, but
shorter in length.
|
Mesotriton alpestris lacusnigri
(Dely, 1960) Yugoslavian Alpine Newt
This subspecies is found in an area near Crno Jezero in the
Julian Alps, Slovenia, and the Triglav Mountains of former
Yugoslavia. Physical characteristics include a dark blue or
gray coloration. M. a. lacusnigri is the second
largest subspecies, the largest being M. a. veluchiensis,
and may reach lengths of 5.5 inches (14.0cm).
|
Mesotriton alpestris montenegrinus
(Radovanovic, 1951) Montenegran Alpine Newt
The Montengran Alpine Newt is a neotenous subspecies,
originally found in Lake Bukumirsko, in Montenegro. Since
its discovery in 1951, two other neotenous forms have been
described and classified at the subspecies level; M. a. piperianus, and
M. a. serdarus. The fore mentioned
subspecies are not distinguished from M. a.
montenegrinus by some because their habitats are not
securely separated. M. a. montenerinus are similar in
appearance to the Nominate Form, but possess larger heads
with specialized mouths, and specialized vomerine teeth. All
three subspecies measure approximately 2.8-3.5 inches
(7.0-9.0cm) as adults.
|
Mesotriton alpestris piperianus
(Radovanovic, 1961)
Validity of this subspecies is debatable. This neotenic form
is found in Montenegro, former Yugoslavia, at higher
altitudes than M. a. montenegrinus.
|
Mesotriton alpestris serdarus
(Radovanovic, 1961)
Validity of this subspecies has been debated, however this
form has been confirmed at the subspecies level through
genetic developments. This form is found in Montenegro,
former Yugoslavia, at lower altitudes than M. a.
montenegrinus, and in the mountains of former
Yugoslavia.
|
Triturus inexpectatus
(Dubois & Breuil, 1983) Calabrian
Alpine Newt
This subspecies occurs in Calabria, and central Italy.
|
Mesotriton alpestris reiseri
(Schreiber, 1912) Bosnian
Alpine Newt (no longer recognized)
This partially-neotenic subspecies is found in the Vranika
Mountains, Bosnia. This subspecies is the largest, reaching
lengths of 6 inches (15.2cm) as adults. Like M. a.
montenegrinus, M. a. reiseri possess large
heads. The validity of this subspecies is debatable, and
many do not adhere to this classification
anymore.
|
Mesotriton alpestris veluchiensis
(Wolterstorff, 1935) Greek Alpine Newt
The Greek Alpine Newt is found in the Veluchi Mountains,
Central Greece, and as far as Northeastern Peloponnese. This
subspecies is the largest, an may reach lengths up to 4.7
inches (12cm). The females of this subspecies possess nearly
the same coloration as the males, including the pearly blue
color typical of M. a. apuanus.
|
Ommatotriton (Gray, 1850)
Ommatotriton
ophryticus (Berthold, 1846) Northern Banded Newt
Formerly Triturus vittatus ophryticus
Taxonomic Synonyms: Triton vittatus (Gray In
Jenyns, 1835), Salamandra vittatus (Guerin-Meneville, 1838),
Triton ophryticus (Berthold, 1846), Ommatotriton vittatus (Gray,
1850), Molge syriacus (Lataste, 1877), Molge vittata (Boulenger,
1882), Triton vittatus forma excubitor (Wolterstorff, 1905),
Triton vittatus forma cilicensis (Wolterstorff, 1906), Triton
vittatus forma typica (Wolterstorff, 1906), Triton vittatus
forma ophrytica (Wolterstorff, 1906), Triton vittatus vittatus (Wolterstorff,
1906), Molge vittata ophrytica (Lantz, 1912), Molge vittatus
ophryticus (Nikolskii, 1918), Molge vittatus cilicensis (Nikolskii,
1918), Triton vittatus spp. ophrytica (Wolterstorff, 1925),
Triton vittatus spp. cilucuebsus (Wolterstorff, 1925), Triton
vittatus chuldaensis (Bodenheimer, 1926), Triton (Palaeotriton)
vittatus (Bolkay, 1927), Triton (Palaeotriton) vittatus
ciliciensis (Bokay, 1927), Triton (Palaeotriton) vittatus (Bolkay,
1928), Triturus vittatus (Herre, 1935), Triturus vittatus
ophryticus (Terentjev & Chernov, 1936), Triturus vittatus
vittatus (Bodenheimer, 1944), Triturus vittatus cilicensis (Bodenhemier,
1944), Triturus vittatus excubitor (Bodenheimer, 1944), Triturus
vittatus vittatus (Bodenheimer, 1944), Triturus (Palaeotriton)
vittatus (Thorn, 1968), Triturus vittatus (MacGregor, Sessions,
and Arntzen, 1990), Triturus vittatus ophryticus (Tuniyev, 1994)
Vernacular Names: Banded Newt, Striped Eft
Ommatotriton ophryticus are very
similar to O. vittatus, with olive brown or grayish dorsally, with a
white or yellowish band on the lower flanks. Both males and females have
a cream-colored stripe along the sides of the abdomen and tail, starting
from the cheeks. The belly is orange or yellow with dark markings
towards the anterior, especially around the throat region. O. v. vittatus often have black spots on the belly. Breeding males are
especially spectacular in appearance. The crest is unusually high,
reaching 45mm, is comb-like with alternating black and white vertical
bars, and takes on a wave-like pattern on the upper side of the tail.
The crest may also reach up to the front of the head, as can be seen in
the two photos below. Breeding males are yellowish, greenish, or light
brownish, with a pearly sheen. The tail may take on a blue color, as
well. Males also develop flaps of skin around the toes, and a dark
mottling over the body, head, and legs. Unlike many other species, the
female is typically smaller than the male, although usually more robust.
Females have dark colored spots along the tail that fade away at the
base and tip. Adults reach lengths of 4.0-5.5 inches(10.0-14.0cm). O.
v. vittatus can be distinguished from O. ophryticus by
their wider cream-colored band along the flanks, and a slightly
lower dorsal crest during the breeding season.
O. ophryticus are found in the
Caucasus, east and south of the Black Sea. This species is typically found at
elevations higher than 1200m above sea level, and is a forest dweller
during the terrestrial phase. Like the nominate form, this
subspecies inhabits
rather arid areas in the terrestrial phase. O. ophryticus are
found in clean pools or streams with little vegetation during the
aquatic phase. Further south, O. v. vittatus and O. ophryticus can be found in ponds,
vernal pools, and even puddles.
Ommatotriton
vittatus (Gray, 1835) Southern Banded Newt
Formerly Triturus vittatus
Taxonomic Synonyms: Triton vittatus (Gray In
Jenyns, 1835), Salamandra vittatus (Guerin-Meneville, 1838),
Triton ophryticus (Berthold, 1846), Ommatotriton vittatus (Gray,
1850), Molge syriacus (Lataste, 1877), Molge vittata (Boulenger,
1882), Triton vittatus forma excubitor (Wolterstorff, 1905),
Triton vittatus forma cilicensis (Wolterstorff, 1906), Triton
vittatus forma typica (Wolterstorff, 1906), Triton vittatus
forma ophrytica (Wolterstorff, 1906), Triton vittatus vittatus (Wolterstorff,
1906), Molge vittata ophrytica (Lantz, 1912), Molge vittatus
ophryticus (Nikolskii, 1918), Molge vittatus cilicensis (Nikolskii,
1918), Triton vittatus spp. ophrytica (Wolterstorff, 1925),
Triton vittatus spp. cilucuebsus (Wolterstorff, 1925), Triton
vittatus chuldaensis (Bodenheimer, 1926), Triton (Palaeotriton)
vittatus (Bolkay, 1927), Triton (Palaeotriton) vittatus
ciliciensis (Bokay, 1927), Triton (Palaeotriton) vittatus (Bolkay,
1928), Triturus vittatus (Herre, 1935), Triturus vittatus
ophryticus (Terentjev & Chernov, 1936), Triturus vittatus
vittatus (Bodenheimer, 1944), Triturus vittatus cilicensis (Bodenhemier,
1944), Triturus vittatus excubitor (Bodenheimer, 1944), Triturus
vittatus vittatus (Bodenheimer, 1944), Triturus (Palaeotriton)
vittatus (Thorn, 1968), Triturus vittatus (MacGregor, Sessions,
and Arntzen, 1990), Triturus vittatus ophryticus (Tuniyev, 1994)
Vernacular Names: Banded Newt, Striped Eft
Ommatotriton vittatus are olive brown or grayish dorsally, with a
white or yellowish band on the lower flanks. Both males and females have
a cream-colored stripe along the sides of the abdomen and tail, starting
from the cheeks. The belly is orange or yellow with dark markings
towards the anterior, especially around the throat region. O. v. vittatus often have black spots on the belly. Breeding males are
especially spectacular in appearance. The crest is unusually high,
reaching 45mm, is comb-like with alternating black and white vertical
bars, and takes on a wave-like pattern on the upper side of the tail.
The crest may also reach up to the front of the head, as can be seen in
the two photos below. Breeding males are yellowish, greenish, or light
brownish, with a pearly sheen. The tail may take on a blue color, as
well. Males also develop flaps of skin around the toes, and a dark
mottling over the body, head, and legs. Unlike many other species, the
female is typically smaller than the male, although usually more robust.
Females have dark colored spots along the tail that fade away at the
base and tip. Adults reach lengths of 4.0-5.5 inches(10.0-14.0cm). O.
v. vittatus can be distinguished from O. ophryticus by
their wider cream-colored band along the flanks, and a slightly
lower dorsal crest during the breeding season.
| Subspecies of
Ommatotriton vittauts
|
Ommatotriton vittatus vittatus (Gray In
Jenyns, 1835) Banded Newt
O. v. vittatus are found in southern Asia minor, Syria, Israel,
and has been discovered in Lebanon. This subspecies is found in low-altitude
plains during the terrestrial phase, and may be found in temporary pools
during the breeding season, or in still ponds with little vegetation.
|
Ommatotriton vittatus cilicensis (Wolterstorff,
1906)
Populations in the northwestern areas of
its range in southern Turkey, to west of the Amanos Mountains have been
described as the subspecies Ommatotriton vittatus cilicensis,
although this classification is not widely accepted. This controversial
subspecies differs from O. v. vittatus in having 14 or more
spikes along the crest, whereas O. v. vittatus has no more than
14, and discontinuous dark bands running alongside the cream-colored
band on the flanks.
|
Formerly Ommatotriton vittatus ophryticus (Berthold,
1846) Caucus Banded Newt
This subspecies has been elevated to species level, Ommatotriton
ophryticus.
|
Triturus (Rafinesque, 1815)
Triturus carnifex (Laurenti, 1768) Italian Crested Newt,
Alpine Crested Newt
Taxonomic Synonyms: Triton carnifex (Laurenti,
1768), Gecko carnifex (Myers, 1795), Salamandra carnifex
(Schneider, 1799), Salamandra platyauda (Rusconi, 1821), Triton
nycthemerus (Michahelles, 1830), Petroponia nigra (Massalongo,
1853), Triton (Alethotriton) cristatus platycephalus (Fatio,
1872), Triton cristatus var. carnifex (Schreiber, 1912),
Triturus cristatus platycauda (Dunn, 1918), Triturus cristatus
carnifex (Wolterstorff, 1923), Triton cristatus carnifex forma
alpina (Wolterstorff, 1925), Molge cristatus carnifex var
neopolitana (Wolterstorff In Schreitmuller, 1926), Triton (Neotriton)
carnifex (Bolkay, 1927), Triton (Neotriton) carnifex carnifex (Bolkay,
1927), Triturus carnifex (Bucci-Innocenti, Ragghianti, and
Mancino, 1983), Triturus carnifex (MacGregor, Sessions, and
Arntzen, 1990)
Vernacular Names: Italian Crested Newt, Alpine Crested Newt, Vienna
NewtThe dorsum of Triturus carnifex is dark brown with dark colored spots. There is some white
coloration around the throat, and flanks in some individuals. The
belly is burnt or bright orange with large, dark blotches. Females and
juveniles may also have a yellow-orange dorsal stripe. During the
breeding season, T. carnifex males develop an impressive, jagged
dorsal crest. The crest extends from the back of the head to the
beginning of the tail, where it tapers down, and then continues in a
less jagged fashion along the tail. Males also develop a white sheen to
the tail and sometimes the flanks. T. carnifex may reach lengths
up to 6.9 inches (17.5cm), with males slightly smaller and less robust
than females.
T. carnifex are found throughout Italy, including the Alps and
Balkans. T. carnifex are also found in Switzerland south of the Alps,
the alpine regions of Austria and Adjacent Czech Republic, south
to Albania (Frost, 2004). Introduced populations exist in
England, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland (Frost,
2004). The Balkan populations have recently been described at
the subspecies level, and named Triturus carnifex macedonicus.
T. carnifex prefer medium to large, still ponds during
the breeding season. Individuals may also use smaller, temporary
pools. During the terrestrial phase, adults and juveniles are
typical forest-dwellers, inhabiting areas with plenty of ground
cover.
| Subspecies of Triturus
carnifex
|
Triturus carnifex carnifex (Laurenti,
1768) Italian Crested Newt, Nominate Form
The nominate form are found in Apennine Italy and Switzerland south of
the Alps, the alpine regions of Austria and adjacent southern Czech
Republic south to Albania (Frost, 2004).
Populations have been introduced in England, Belgium, Netherlands, and
Switzerland.
|
Triturus carnifex macedonicus (Arntzen and Wallis, 1999)
This subspecies is comprised of the Balkan populations. The sides are densely white-stippled, and the throat a
dark brown and creamish-yellow. The ventral surface is yellow with
large, irregularly shaped gray or brown spots. Males tend to have darker
throats than females, with larger, and more frequent white stipples (Arntzen
& Wallis, 1999).
|
Triturus cristatus (Laurenti, 1768) Northern
Crested Newt, Great Crested
Newt
Taxonomic Synonyms: Triton cristatus (Laurenti, 1768),
Triton americanus (Laurenti, 1768), Lacerta americana (Houttuyn, 1782),
Salamandra platyura (Daubenton, 1784), Lacerta lacustris (Blumenbach,
1788), Salamandra lati-caudata (Bonnaterre, 1789), Lacerta lacustris (Gmelin,
1789), Gecko Palustris (Meyer, 1795), Salamandra cristata (Schneider,
1799), Salamandra pruinata (Schneider, 1799), Lacerta triton (Retzius,
1800), Lacerta porosa (Retzius, 1800), Salamandra cristata (Hoeven,
1833), Triton bibronii (Bell, 1839), Hemisalamandra crisata (Duges,
1852), Triton asper (igginbottom, 1853), Triton blasii (De I'Isle,
1862), Triton cristatus var. icterica (Reichenbach, 1865), Triton
marmoratus var. blasii (Strauch, 1870), Triton (Alethotriton) cristatus
(Fatio, 1872), Triton (Alethotriton) marmoratus (Fatio, 1872), Triton (Alethotriton)
cristatus cuclocephalus (Fatio, 1872), Molge cristata (Boulenger, 1882),
Molge blasii (Boulenger, 1882), Triton trouessarti (Peracca, 1886),
Molge blasiusi (Bedriaga, 1897), Triton cristatus var. luteiventris (Durigen,
1897), Triton cristatus var. nigrivengris (Durigen, 1897), Molge
palustris var. olivacea (Prazak, 1898), Molge palustris var. leydigi (Prazak,
1898), Molge palustris var. sulfureo-gastra (Prazak, 1898), Molge
palustris var. icterica (Prazak, 1898), Triton cristatus (Wolterstorff,
1901), Triton blasii (Wolterstorff, 1901), Molge cristata var.
flavigastra (Fejervary, 1909), Triturus cristatus (Dunn, 1918), Triturus
cristatus cristatus (Mertens, 1923), Triton (Neotriton) blasii (Bolkay,
1927), Triton (Neotriton) cristatus cristatus (Bolkay, 1927), Triton
intermedius (Szeliga-Mierzeyewksi, and Ulasiweicz, 1931), Triturus
palustris (Flower, 1933), Triturus cristatus (Wolterstorff & Herre,
1935), Triturus cristatus (MacGregor, Sessions, and Arntzen, 1990)
Vernacular Names: Crested Newt, Great Crested Newt, Northern Crested
Newt
T. cristatus are dark brown or grayish dorsally, usually with
large, irregular, dark colored blotches randomly scattered about. The belly is yellow or orange, also with
dark colored blotching. Some individuals may also possess white flecks along the sides of
the abdomen and flanks. Females are slightly larger than males, and
rarely possess a yellow dorsal stripe extending down the tail, a
characteristic more common in the similar species Triturus carnifex. During
the breeding season, males develop a jagged dorsal crest that extends from the back of the head to the beginning of the tail,
where it tapers down, and then continues in a less jagged fashion along
the tail. Adults may reach up to 6.3 inches (16cm), with males slightly
smaller and less robust than females.
T. cristatus inhabits much of Europe, including central and
northern France, Great Britain, southern Scandinavia, and northern
Russia, southwestern Romania, central Moldavia, southern Ukraine,
Russia, and West Siberia (AmphibiaWeb). T. cristatus resides in
wooded forests, including coniferous, mixed, and deciduous varieties.
T. cristatus prefer medium to large, still ponds during the
breeding season. Individuals may also use smaller, temporary pools. During
the terrestrial phase, adults and juveniles are typical forest-dwellers,
inhabiting areas with plenty of ground cover.
Triturus dobrogicus (Kiritzescu,
1903) Danube Crested Newt
Taxonomic Synonyms: Triton cristatus var.
dobrogicus (Kiritzescu, 1903), Molge macrosoma (Boulenger,
1908), Triton cristatus danubialis (Wolterstorff, 1923), Triton
cristatus cristatus forma dobrogica (Wolterstrofee, 1923),
Triton cristatus danubialis forma werneri (Wolterstorff, 1923),
Triturus cristatus danubialis (Mertens, 1923), Triton (Neotriton)
cristatus danubialis (Bolkay, 1928), Triturus cristatus
dobrogicus (Mertens & Muller, 1928), Molge cristata
danubialis forma smederevana (Karaman, 1948), Triturus cristatus
danubialis var. intermedia (Fuhn, 1953), Triturus cristatus
dobrogicus (Mertens & Wermuth, 1960), Triturus dobrogicus (Bucci-Innocenti,
Ragghianti, and Mancino, 1983), Triturus dobrogicus, MacGregor,
Sessions, and Arntzen, 1990), Triturus dobrogicus dobrogicus (Litvinchuk
& Borkin, 2000), Triturus dobrogicus macrosomus (Litvinichuk
& Borkin, 2000), Triturus dobrogicus macrosoma (Frost, 2004)
Vernacular Names: Danube Crested Newt, Danube Newt
Triturus dobrogicus is similar in appearance to other members of
the "Cristatus" group, but is more elongate, with a narrower
head, and slightly shorted limbs. T. dobrogicus are slimmer than
the other crested newts, and are lighter colored dorsally than T.
cristatus, with taller dorsal crests. T. dobrogicus
usually possess whitish spotting around the face and sides of the
body, and may have reduced dark blotching on the dorsum compared
to T. cristatus. The serrated crest of breeding males extends down the back, tapering at the base of
the tail, and continuing in a smoother fashion along the tail. The crest
may also extend to the front of the head. Breeding males develop a
bluish-white sheen along the sides of the tail. Females are larger, more
robust, and darker colored. Adults can reach up to 6.3 inches (16cm),
with males slightly smaller.
T. dobrogicus are found in the Russian Federation, Ukraine,
Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Czech Republic, Yugoslavia, Hungary,
Austria, Bulgaria, and Romania (AmphibiaWeb). The nominate form inhabit
areas within the Danube River System, hence the vernacular name. T.
dobrogicus is a forest dweller, but is also found in villages and
agricultural areas (AmphibiaWeb).
T. dobrogicus is often found in flooded lowlands with
lakes, and is also found near populated cities. Typical habitats
include forests, groves, bush lands, flooded lowlands, swamps, and
river valleys with dense vegetation. T. dobrogicus prefer
still ponds, but will breed in temporary pools, channels, ditches,
and other flooded areas (AmphibiaWeb).
Subspecies of Triturus
dobrogicus
T. dobrogicus is comprised of two subspecies
based on morphological differences between the Pannonian
and Danube Delta populations (Litvinchuk & Borkin,
2000).
|
Triturus dobrogicus dobrogicus (Kiritzescu,
1903) Danube Crested Newt
The nominate form are found in the Danube Delta.
|
Triturus dobrogicus macrosoma (=macrosomus)
(Boulenger, 1908)
This subspecies occupies the remainder of the
range, including Apennine Italy and Switzerland south of
the Alps, the alpine regions of Austria and adjacent southern Czech
Republic south to Albania (Frost, 2004).
Populations have been introduced in England, Belgium, Netherlands, and
Switzerland.
|
Triturus karelinii (Strauch, 1870) Southern Crested Newt
Taxonomic Synonyms: Triton karelinii (Struach,
1870), Triton longipes (Strauch, 1870), Molge cristata var.
karelinii (Boulenger, 1882), Molge cristata var. longipes (Boulenger,
1882), Triton cristatus var. karelinii (Durigen, 1897), Triton
lobatus spp. meridionalis (Fatio, 1900), Turanomolge mensbieri (Nikolskii,
1918), Molge karelinii var. macedonica (Karman, 1922), Triton
cristatus karelinii forma taurica (Wolterstorff, 1923), Triton
cristatus karelinii forma byzanthina (Wolterstroff, 1923),
Triton cristatus karelinii forma bureschi (Wolterstorff, 1925),
Triotn (Neotriton) carnifex karelinii (Bolkay, 1927), Triturus
cristatus karelinii (Mertens & Muller, 1928), Triturus
cristatus karelinii forma rilaica (Buresch & Zonkov, 1941),
Turanomolge menzbieri (Terentjev & Chernov, 1949), Triturus
cristatus carnifex var. albanicus (Dely, 1959), Triturus
cristatus karelinii (Mertens & Wermuth, 1960), Triturus
karelinii (Bucci-Innocenti, Ragghianti, and Mancino, 1983),
Triturus karelinii (Litvinchuk, Borkin, Dzukic, Kalezic,
Khalturin, and Rosanov, 1999), Triturus karelinii arntzeni (Litvinchuk,
Borkin, Dzukic, and Kalezic In Litvinchuk, Borkin, Dzukic,
Kalezi, Khalturin, and Rosanov, 1999)
Vernacular Names: Southern Crested Newt, Karelin's Newt, Balkan
Crested Newt, Iranian Crested Newt
Triturus karelinii are similar to T. cristatus, but are
larger and more robust. T. karelinii are brown to gray dorsally,
with dark blotches scattered about. Also present is white spotting or
speckling around the face and sides of the body. The belly and throat
are orange with smaller black spots. Males develop jagged crests
similar to T. cristatus. T. karelinii also develops the
characteristic white sheen along the tail. T. karelinii are the
largest of the "Cristatus" group, reaching up to 7.1 inches (18cm). Females are larger, and more robust than males.
T. karelinii are found the edges of the Black Sea, from Serbia
east to the Caspian Sea, and to south to central Turkey. The Balkan
populations have recently been described at the subspecies level, Triturus
karelinii arntzeni.
T. karelinii are found in variable mountain forests, including
coniferous types, and broad-leaf types. T. karelinii also inhabit
slopes and plateaus. During the breeding season, T. karelinii can be
found in stagnant ponds, ditches, swamps, lakes, and temporary pools.
| Subspecies of Triturus
karelinii
|
Triturus karelinii karelinii (Strauch,
1970) Southern Crested Newt
The nominate form occupy the entire range except the Balkans.
|
Triturus karelinii arntzeni (Litvinchuk,
Borkin, Dzukic, and Kalezic, 1999)
This subspecies is found in the Balkan Peninsula.
|
Triturus marmoratus (Latreille,
1800) Marbled Newt
Taxonomic Synonyms: Triton gesneri (Laurenti,
1768), Salamandra marmorata (Latreille, 1800), Triton marmoratus
(Oppel, 1811), Salamandra variegat (Bory de Saint-Vincent,
1828), Triton marmoratus (Wagler, 1830), Salamandra elegans
(Lesson, 1839), Hemisalamandra marmorata (Duges, 1852),
Salamandra marbree (Duges, 1852), Pyronicia marmorata (Gray,
1858), Triton blasii (De l'Isle, 1862), Triton (Alethotriton)
marmoratus (Fatio, 1872), Molge marmorata (Boulenger, 1882),
Triton trouessarti (Peracca, 1886), Molge blasiusi (Bedriaga,
1897), Triton marmoratus (Dunn, 1918), Triton (Neotriton)
marmoratus (Bolkay, 1927), Triturus marmoratus (Mertens &
Muller, 1928), Triturus marmoratus (MacGregor, Sessions, and
Arntzen, 1990)
Vernacular Names: Marbled Newt
T. marmoratus have black or dark brown, semi-rough bodies mottled with irregular
patterns of bright to dark green, from the top of head to the tip of the
tail, and down the legs. The belly is also black, and covered in tiny
yellowish-white dots. Adult females and juveniles usually possess an
orange stripe running from the top of the head, down the dorsum to the
tip of the tail, however, the stripe is less pronounced in some adult
individuals. The vivid orange stripe of juveniles begins to fade at around 9-10 months, as
does the bright green coloration. This species can be sexed at a
relatively young age, as the orange stripe also become perforated
around the same time it begins to fade in coloration in males. Adult males lack the solid orange stripe, and instead have
a black and yellowish-white banded stripe that indicates where the crest
is produced during the breeding season. During the breeding season,
adult males develop large, undulated (wavy, not jagged) crests
along the dorsal ridge and tail, which taper down where the tail meets
the body. The crest consists of black and yellowish-white vertical
stripes, with a white sheen along the tail. Females are generally more
drab colored than males, but possess the same mottled green appearance. Terrestrial phase adults of both species
develop a velvety-smooth skin texture, and are typically brighter in
color. Adults can reach lengths of 5-6.5 inches (12.7-16.5cm), with some
individuals reaching up to 6.8 inches (17.2cm).
T. marmoratus are found throughout most of France, down through
extreme western Spain and the top 1/3 of Portugal. Populations are more
scattered in the northern part of France due to the presence of
T. cristatus (Northern Crested Newt), for which T. marmoratus hybridizes
with where territory overlaps. T. marmoratus are absent from much of
the Pyrenees Mountains and most of Spain due to unstable or dry climates in
these areas. T. marmoratus are found in higher elevation Mediterranean climates, whereas
T. pygmaeus resides in lower or intermediate elevations where the temperatures are
slightly warmer. There is a small overlap between T. marmoratus and T. pygmaeus
in near-central Portugal and parts of Spain. From this point South, T. pygmaeus
replaces T. marmoratus.
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