Tylototriton verrucosus (Anderson,
1871) Himalayan Crocodile Newt (Tylototriton
verrucosus gallery)
Tylototriton verrucosus. Photo ©
Jessica J. Miller, info@livingunderworld.org
T. verrucosus have the largest range of all species in the genus, which
extends from the Yunnan Province in southeast China, through northern Vietnam,
northern Thailand, northern Myanmar, Bhutan, eastern Nepal, and northeastern
India (Sikkim and Darjeeling). The distributions formerly acknowledged in Yunnan
province, China are now considered T. shanjing, with the
exception of those found in the extreme west of the province. The exact distributions in Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar,
Bhutan, and Nepal are also questionable. Populations in India are becoming more
popular with conservationists, and are better known than other populations. In
Darjeeling district, West Bengal, India, there were 10 documented populations in
1994. The habitats included rice fields, tea gardens, terrestrial meadows near
ponds and vernal pools, and woodland areas. T. verrucosus is considered a
complex encompassing may variable forms, some of which may
eventually become subspecies or even species of their own.
Individuals in India are known to hibernate during the winter, and begin
mating in March and May, continuing as late as September. Parental care and
terrestrial breeding were observed in females. Young metamorphose in August -
October, or remain in the larval stage through winter to the following Spring.
References
Fei, Liang. Atlas of Amphibians of China. Technology Press, Zhengzhou, China. 1999.
Zhao, E. China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals: Amphibia and Reptilia.
Beijing, China: Science Press; Endangered Species Scientific Commission, P.R.C.,
1998.
Zhao, E., et al. Studies on Chinese Salamanders. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, 1988.
|
