Local Hybridisation Between Native Triturus Cristatus and Introduced Triturus Marmoratus (Urodela: Salamandridae) in the Netherlands

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Local Hybridisation Between Native Triturus Cristatus and Introduced Triturus Marmoratus (Urodela: Salamandridae) in the Netherlands Herpetology Notes, volume 8: 549-552 (2015) (published online on 06 December 2015) Local hybridisation between native Triturus cristatus and introduced Triturus marmoratus (Urodela: Salamandridae) in the Netherlands Wouter Beukema1,*, Bobby Bok2, Laura Tiemann3 and Jeroen Speybroeck4 During recent years it has become apparent that the Peninsula (Wielstra et al., 2014a), has hitherto not been Netherlands host a considerable number of introduced listed among the introduced species in the Netherlands. populations of reptiles and amphibians (Creemers A recent record of this species from the Dutch province and van Delft, 2009). The distribution of several of Drenthe motivated the authors to survey two ponds native species has been enlarged through deliberate located in the municipality of Westerveld (Fig. 1A) on introductions outside of historical species ranges, which the 24th and 25th of May 2015. Taking into account the were often found to originate from foreign source dangers associated with ecotourism in combination with populations and represent alien subspecies. Expanding the recent rise of several invasive pathogens (Kik et al., and reproducing populations of species which form no 2011; Martel et al., 2014) we refrain from providing part of the country’s native herpetofauna are however exact locality data here, which is however available upon also present, including (but not limited to) Triturus request. The concerning area consists of mixed forest carnifex (Laurenti, 1768), Elaphe schrenckii Strauch fragments interspersed by small heathlands and several 1873, Rana dalmatina Fitzinger in Bonaparte 1838 and well-vegetated ponds, which were partially dried-out at several South-European Pelophylax taxa (Creemers and the time of the visit. Most of the surrounding land is van Delft, 2009; Felix et al., 2012; Van de Koppel et agricultural. Randomised walks along the edge of the al., 2012; van Delft et al., 2012). Hybridisation of T. ponds were performed at night, during which newts were carnifex with native Triturus cristatus (Laurenti, 1768) located using flashlights. In both of the surveyed ponds across an expanding area in the central Netherlands has we encountered newts, phenotypically attributable to led to an unfortunate case of genetic pollution, as the the following species: adult T. marmoratus (total n = 5), former successfully invades, hybridizes and eventually as well as native T. cristatus (total n = 2) and Lissotriton displaces populations of the latter (Meilink et al., vulgaris (Linnaeus 1758; total n = 7). Additionally, 2015). one pond yielded a single male Ichthyosaura alpestris Triturus marmoratus (Latreille, 1800), a salamandrid (Laurenti 1768), a species of which natural occurrence species which is native to France and the Iberian in the province of Drenthe remains disputed (Creemers and van Delft, 2009). Based on their enlarged tail fins and the presence of dorsal crests and swollen cloacae in males, all encountered newts appeared to be in breeding condition. Several larvae of T. marmoratus 1 Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, were observed which were well-recognizable by their Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, greenish dorsal colour and/or greenish blotches. In Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium. addition, one female newt (TL > 15 cm) was caught 2 St Michaël College, Leeghwaterweg 7, 1509 BS Zaandam, the which was identified as a hybrid between T. cristatus Netherlands and T. marmoratus based on the combination of 3 Department of Neurology, Technische Universität München, vague green marbling on the dorsal side and restricted Ismaninger Straße 22, 81675 Munich, Germany 4Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), Kliniekstraat orange colouration interspersed by tiny white dots on 25, 1070 Brussels, Belgium. the underside (e.g. Vallée, 1959; Arntzen and Wallis, * Corresponding author; e-mail: [email protected] 1991; Fig. 1B). Based on the above, we conclude that 550 Wouter Beukema et al. Figure 1. A: Distribution of Triturus cristatus (red) and Triturus marmoratus (green) in north-western Europe. Both species occur together in the hatched area. The green dot signifies the Dutch invasive population of T. marmoratus in the municipality of Westerveld, of which the habitat is displayed on the inset (photo by Laura Tiemann). B: Ventral view of T. marmoratus (top, middle) and a hybrid T. cristatus -T. marmoratus (bottom) from the Netherlands (photos by Wouter Beukema). T. marmoratus has successfully established itself in the vulnerable on the Dutch Red List (Creemers and van Netherlands and hybridises with native T. cristatus in its Delft, 2009). It however has to be noted that only 3- presumed area of introduction. Due to the limited time 4% of the individuals in French syntopic T. cristatus spent during the survey, the presence of other ponds – T. marmoratus populations comprise F1 hybrids, nearby, and extensive aquatic vegetation which covered while introgression is basically non-existent (Arntzen most of the ponds during our visit, it is likely that only a and Wallis, 1991). Significant genetic pollution of fraction of the actual newt population was observed. the local T. cristatus gene pool by T. marmoratus can In Central France, T. cristatus and T. marmoratus therefore be considered as unlikely, which sets this case are well known to have formed a relatively broad, clearly apart from the introgression and displacement of natural contact zone in which they locally hybridise if local T. cristatus populations on the Dutch Veluwe by environmental conditions are suitable for both species invasive T. carnifex (Meilink et al., 2015). Nevertheless, (e.g. Arntzen and Wallis, 1991; Arntzen et al., 2009). future surveys should aim at discovering to what extent In the Netherlands, a similar situation might exist, introduced populations of T. marmoratus are currently concluding from the enduring presence of both parental present in the Dutch province of Drenthe and what species and at least one large-sized, adult hybrid in impact the species may have on local ecosystems. The the same water body. In contrast to the situation in development of a recent framework in which a great France, the Dutch co-occurrence is not a natural result number of markers specifically designed for the genus of limited niche overlap as evolutionarily established. Triturus can be sequenced on a large scale using next- Hybridisation between T. cristatus and invasive T. generation sequencing methods (Wielstra et al., 2014b) marmoratus in the Netherlands is undesirable, as might be a particularly helpful tool to assess the effects the former is a threatened species which is listed as of ongoing hybridisation. Local hybridisation between native Triturus cristatus and introduced T. marmoratus 551 Figure 2. Triturus marmoratus (A, B, photos by Laura Tiemann) and a hybrid between T. marmoratus and T. cristatus (C, photo by Bobby Bok) from the municipality of Westerveld, Netherlands. Acknowledgements. Ben Wielstra pre-reviewed the manuscript. Arntzen, J.W., Jehle, R., Bardakci, F., Burke, T., Wallis, G.P. We thank Reptile, Amphibian & Fish Conservation Netherlands (2009): Asymmetric viability of reciprocal-cross hybrids (RAVON) for supplying permits to handle amphibians in the between Crested and Marbled newts (Triturus cristatus and field. Triturus marmoratus). Evolution 63: 1191–1202. Creemers, R.C.M, van Delft, J.J.C.W. (2009): De amfibieën en reptielen van Nederland. Nationaal Natuurhistorisch Museum References Naturalis, Leiden, Netherlands. Van Delft, J.J.C.W, Spitzen-van der Sluijs, A.M, Goverse, E, Arntzen, J.W., Wallis, G.P. (1991): Restricted gene flow in a Struijk, R.P.J.H, Creemers, R.C.M. (2012): Risicoanalyse van moving hybrid zone of the newts Triturus cristatus and Triturus de springkikker (Rana dalmatina) in Nederland. Stichting marmoratus in western France. Evolution 45: 805–826. RAVON, Nijmegen, the Netherlands. 552 Wouter Beukema et al. Felix, R., Crombaghs, B., Geraeds, R. (2012): Exotische Mémoires de la Société zoologique de France 31: 1–95. Meerkikkers in Zuid-Limburg. Natuurhistorisch Maandblad Van de Koppel, S., van Kessel, N., Crombaghs, B.H.J.M., Getreuer, 101: 125–130. W., Lenders, H.J.R. (2012): Risk analysis of the Russian Rat Kik, M., Martel, A., Sluiijs, A.S., Pasmans, F., Wohlsein, P., Snake (Elaphe schrenckii) in the Netherlands. Natuurbalans - Grone, A., Rijks, J.M. (2011): Ranavirus-associated mass Limes Divergens BV, Nijmegen, the Netherlands. mortality in wild amphibians, the Netherlands, 2010: a first Wielstra, B., Sillero, N., Vörös, J., Arntzen, J.W. (2014a): The report. Veterinary Journal 190: 284–286. distribution of the crested and marbled newt species (Amphibia: Martel, A., Blooi, M., Adriaensen, C., Van Rooij, P., Beukema, W., Salamandridae: Triturus) – an addition to the New Atlas of Fisher, M.C., Farrer, R.A., Schmidt, B.R., Tobler, U., Goka, K., Amphibians and Reptiles of Europe. Amphibia-Reptilia 35: Lips, K.R., Muletz, C., Zamudio, K.R., Bosch, J., Lötters, S., 376–381. Wombwell, E., Garner, T.W.J., Cunningham, A.A., Spitzen-van Wielstra, B., Duijm, E., Lagler, P., Lammers, Y., Meilink, W.R.M., der Sluijs, A., Salvidio, S., Ducatelle, R., Nishikawa, K., Nguyen, Ziermann, J.M., Arntzen, J.W. (2014b): Parallel tagged amplicon T.T., Kolby, J.E., Van Bocxlaer, I., Bossuyt, F., Pasmans, F. sequencing of transcriptome-based genetic markers for Triturus (2014): Recent introduction of a chytrid fungus endangers newts with the Ion Torrent next-generation sequencing platform. Western Palearctic salamanders. Science 346: 630–631. Molecular Ecology Resources 14: 1080–1089. Meilink, W.R.M., Arntzen, J.W., van Delft, J.J.C.W., Wielstra, B. (2015): Genetic pollution of a threatened native crested newt species through hybridization with an invasive congener in the Netherlands. Biological Conservation 184: 145–153. Vallée, L. (1959): Recherches sur Triturus blasii de l’Isle, hybride naturel de Triturus cristatus Laur. x Triturus marmoratus Latr. Accepted by Iris Starnberger.
Recommended publications
  • <I>Ichthyosaura Alpestris</I>
    Volume 26 (January 2016), 49–56 FULL PAPER Herpetological Journal Published by the British Provenance of Ichthyosaura alpestris (Caudata: Herpetological Society Salamandridae) introductions to France and New Zealand assessed by mitochondrial DNA analysis Jan W. Arntzen1, Tania M. King2, Mathieu Denoël3, Iñigo Martínez-Solano4,5 & Graham P. Wallis2 1Naturalis Biodiversity Center, PO Box 9517, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands 2Department of Zoology, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand 3Behavioural Biology Unit, Department of Biology, Ecology and Evolution, University of Liège, Quai van Beneden 22, 4020 Liège, Belgium 4CIBIO-InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Campus Agrário de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, s/n 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal 5(present address) Ecology, Evolution, and Development Group, Department of Wetland Ecology, Doñana Biological Station, CSIC, c/ Americo Vespucio, s/n, 41092, Seville, Spain The last century has seen an unparalleled movement of species around the planet as a direct result of human activity, which has been a major contributor to the biodiversity crisis. Amphibians represent a particularly vulnerable group, exacerbated by the devastating effects of chytrid fungi. We report the malicious translocation and establishment of the alpine newt (Ichthyosaura alpestris) to its virtual antipode in North Island of New Zealand. We use network analysis of mitochondrial DNA haplotypes to identify the original source population as I. a. apuana from Tuscany, Italy. Additionally, a population in southern France, presumed to be introduced, is identified as I. a. alpestris from western Europe. However, the presence of two differentiated haplotypes suggests a mixed origin.
    [Show full text]
  • 2008 Amphibian Distribution Surveys in Wadeable Streams and Ponds in Western and Southeast Oregon
    INFORMATION REPORTS NUMBER 2010-05 FISH DIVISION Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 2008 Amphibian Distribution Surveys in Wadeable Streams and Ponds in Western and Southeast Oregon Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife prohibits discrimination in all of its programs and services on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability. If you believe that you have been discriminated against as described above in any program, activity, or facility, or if you desire further information, please contact ADA Coordinator, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, 3406 Cherry Drive NE, Salem, OR, 503-947-6000. This material will be furnished in alternate format for people with disabilities if needed. Please call 541-757-4263 to request 2008 Amphibian Distribution Surveys in Wadeable Streams and Ponds in Western and Southeast Oregon Sharon E. Tippery Brian L. Bangs Kim K. Jones Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Corvallis, OR November, 2010 This project was financed with funds administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service State Wildlife Grants under contract T-17-1 and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds. Citation: Tippery, S. E., B. L Bangs and K. K. Jones. 2010. 2008 Amphibian Distribution Surveys in Wadeable Streams and Ponds in Western and Southeast Oregon. Information Report 2010-05, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Corvallis. CONTENTS FIGURES.......................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Is the Danube Crested Newt Triturus Dobrogicus Polytypic? a Review and New Nuclear DNA Data
    This is a repository copy of Is the Danube crested newt Triturus dobrogicus polytypic? A review and new nuclear DNA data. White Rose Research Online URL for this paper: http://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/104514/ Version: Accepted Version Article: Wielstra, B. orcid.org/0000-0002-7112-5965, Voeroes, J. and Arntzen, J.W. (2016) Is the Danube crested newt Triturus dobrogicus polytypic? A review and new nuclear DNA data. Amphibia-Reptilia , 37 (2). pp. 167-177. ISSN 0173-5373 https://doi.org/10.1163/15685381-00003041 Reuse Items deposited in White Rose Research Online are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved unless indicated otherwise. They may be downloaded and/or printed for private study, or other acts as permitted by national copyright laws. The publisher or other rights holders may allow further reproduction and re-use of the full text version. This is indicated by the licence information on the White Rose Research Online record for the item. Takedown If you consider content in White Rose Research Online to be in breach of UK law, please notify us by emailing [email protected] including the URL of the record and the reason for the withdrawal request. [email protected] https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/ 1 Is the Danube crested newt Triturus dobrogicus polytypic? A review and new nuclear DNA data 2 3 Short title: Is the Danube crested newt Triturus dobrogicus polytypic? 4 5 Ben Wielstra1,2,*, Judit Vörös3, Jan W. Arntzen2 6 1Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, S10 2TN Sheffield, UK. 7 2Naturalis Biodiversity Center, P.
    [Show full text]
  • EVER-EARLIER BREEDING MIGRATIONS by ALPINE NEWTS (TRITURUS ALPESTRIS) LIVING WILD in BRITAIN 434 Falmer Road, Woodingdean, Brigh
    Bntish Herpetological Society Bulletin, No. 51, 1995. EVER-EARLIER BREEDING MIGRATIONS BY ALPINE NEWTS (TRITURUS ALPESTRIS) LIVING WILD IN BRITAIN TREVOR J.C. BEEBEE 434 Falmer Road, Woodingdean, Brighton BN2 6LG Alpine Newts have been living and breeding in my garden and its ponds ever since the introduction of just a few individuals nearly 20 years ago, before the Wildlife & Countryside Act rendered such deviant behaviour inadmissable. Triturus alpestris proved very successful, rapidly building up to such numbers as to become the second most abundant of the four species using my ponds every year. One aspect of Alpine Newt behaviour that became apparent very early on, however, was late arrival at the ponds in spring. Over the first five years when the colony was becoming established the average day of first sighting an Alpine Newt was March 17th; this was a good six weeks later than the first Smooth Newts, which arrived around the start of February, and some five weeks later than the Palmates and Crested Newts that share the same pools. One thing I have tried to do over the years is to keep accurate records of the dates upon which newts first enter my ponds. This is not difficult since it involves no more than stepping outside the back door for a few minutes after dark and inspecting the ponds (which are cleared of weed every autumn) with a powerful torch. I am therefore pretty confident that my records are accurate, at least to within a day or two. On the basis of these observations, a dramatic trend is apparent over the 17 years since the newts were first introduced.
    [Show full text]
  • Sexual Dimorphism in a French Population of the Marbled Newt, Triturus Marmoratus (Urodela: Salamandridae)
    SALAMANDRA 51(2) 121–128Sexual dimorphism30 June 2015 in a FrenchISSN 0036–3375 population of Triturus marmoratus Sexual dimorphism in a French population of the marbled newt, Triturus marmoratus (Urodela: Salamandridae) Sandy Reinhard1 & Alexander Kupfer2,3 1) Institut für Spezielle Zoologie und Evolutionsbiologie mit Phyletischem Museum, Friedrich Schiller-Universität Jena, Erbertstr. 1, 07743 Jena, Germany 2) Abteilung Zoologie, Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Stuttgart, Rosenstein 1, 70191 Stuttgart, Germany 3) Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24–25, Haus 26, 14476 Potsdam, Germany Corresponding author: Sandy Reinhard, e-mail: [email protected] Manuscript received: 21 May 2014 Accepted: 6 October 2014 by Stefan Lötters Abstract. Amphibians have developed a large set of life-history strategies and demonstrate an impressive diversity of re- productive patterns compared to other vertebrates. Various selection pressures impact on males and females and see them produce different degrees of sexual dimorphism in order to maximise their reproductive success. In an extended morpho- metric analysis that included 27 body- and head-related characters, we studied the pattern of sexual dimorphism of a French population of the marbled newt, Triturus marmoratus. We analysed the characters by employing GLM methods (ANCOVA) and found 16 of them to be dimorphic between the sexes. In general, females differ in head–body size, such as snout–vent length, but males rather in shape or body proportions (e.g., limb proportions). The various expressions of sex- ual size dimorphism among large-bodied marbled newts and allies demonstrate that more than one evolutionary model works simultaneously on different traits.
    [Show full text]
  • Life History Account for Red-Bellied Newt
    California Wildlife Habitat Relationships System California Department of Fish and Wildlife California Interagency Wildlife Task Group RED-BELLIED NEWT Taricha rivularis Family: SALAMANDRIDAE Order: CAUDATA Class: AMPHIBIA A008 Written by: M. Marangio Reviewed by: T. Papenfuss Edited by: R. Duke, J. Harris, S. Granholm DISTRIBUTION, ABUNDANCE, AND SEASONALITY The red-bellied newt ranges within Sonoma, Mendocino, Humboldt and Lake cos. Abundant in most of range. Migrates to streams during fall and winter rains. Inhabits primarily redwood forest, but also found within mixed conifer, valley-foothill woodland, montane hardwood and hardwood-conifer habitats. SPECIFIC HABITAT REQUIREMENTS Feeding: Feeds on arthropods, worms and snails in water and on forest floor within ground litter. Cover: Spends dry season underground within root channels. Reproduction: Requires rapid streams with rocky substrate for breeding and egg-laying. Water: Rapid-flowing, permanent streams are required for breeding and larval development. Pattern: Streams in proximity to redwood forest are required. SPECIES LIFE HISTORY Activity Patterns: Primarily active at night. Migrate to streams during autumn rains, returning to terrestrial habitat in the spring. Aestivation in terrestrial habitat takes place during the summer months. Seasonal Movements/Migration: May migrate a mile or more to and from the breeding stream. Migratory movements stimulated primarily by rain, but in heavy amounts rain inhibits movement toward the stream. Home Range: Displaced individuals return to home site (within 50 ft of point previously occupied in stream) (Packer 1963). "Neighborhood size" within a segment of stream was estimated at 0.4-1.0 km (0.2-0.6 mi) (Hedgecock 1978). Home range over land extends only over a small area adjacent to the breeding site (Twitty et al.
    [Show full text]
  • 50 CFR Ch. I (10–1–20 Edition) § 16.14
    § 15.41 50 CFR Ch. I (10–1–20 Edition) Species Common name Serinus canaria ............................................................. Common Canary. 1 Note: Permits are still required for this species under part 17 of this chapter. (b) Non-captive-bred species. The list 16.14 Importation of live or dead amphib- in this paragraph includes species of ians or their eggs. non-captive-bred exotic birds and coun- 16.15 Importation of live reptiles or their tries for which importation into the eggs. United States is not prohibited by sec- Subpart C—Permits tion 15.11. The species are grouped tax- onomically by order, and may only be 16.22 Injurious wildlife permits. imported from the approved country, except as provided under a permit Subpart D—Additional Exemptions issued pursuant to subpart C of this 16.32 Importation by Federal agencies. part. 16.33 Importation of natural-history speci- [59 FR 62262, Dec. 2, 1994, as amended at 61 mens. FR 2093, Jan. 24, 1996; 82 FR 16540, Apr. 5, AUTHORITY: 18 U.S.C. 42. 2017] SOURCE: 39 FR 1169, Jan. 4, 1974, unless oth- erwise noted. Subpart E—Qualifying Facilities Breeding Exotic Birds in Captivity Subpart A—Introduction § 15.41 Criteria for including facilities as qualifying for imports. [Re- § 16.1 Purpose of regulations. served] The regulations contained in this part implement the Lacey Act (18 § 15.42 List of foreign qualifying breed- U.S.C. 42). ing facilities. [Reserved] § 16.2 Scope of regulations. Subpart F—List of Prohibited Spe- The provisions of this part are in ad- cies Not Listed in the Appen- dition to, and are not in lieu of, other dices to the Convention regulations of this subchapter B which may require a permit or prescribe addi- § 15.51 Criteria for including species tional restrictions or conditions for the and countries in the prohibited list.
    [Show full text]
  • The Salamanders of Tennessee
    Salamanders of Tennessee: modified from Lisa Powers tnwildlife.org Follow links to Nongame The Salamanders of Tennessee Photo by John White Salamanders are the group of tailed, vertebrate animals that along with frogs and caecilians make up the class Amphibia. Salamanders are ectothermic (cold-blooded), have smooth glandular skin, lack claws and must have a moist environment in which to live. 1 Amphibian Declines Worldwide, over 200 amphibian species have experienced recent population declines. Scientists have reports of 32 species First discovered in 1967, the golden extinctions, toad, Bufo periglenes, was last seen mainly species of in 1987. frogs. Much attention has been given to the Anurans (frogs) in recent years, however salamander populations have been poorly monitored. Photo by Henk Wallays Fire Salamander - Salamandra salamandra terrestris 2 Why The Concern For Salamanders in Tennessee? Their key role and high densities in many forests The stability in their counts and populations Their vulnerability to air and water pollution Their sensitivity as a measure of change The threatened and endangered status of several species Their inherent beauty and appeal as a creature to study and conserve. *Possible Factors Influencing Declines Around the World Climate Change Habitat Modification Habitat Fragmentation Introduced Species UV-B Radiation Chemical Contaminants Disease Trade in Amphibians as Pets *Often declines are caused by a combination of factors and do not have a single cause. Major Causes for Declines in Tennessee Habitat Modification -The destruction of natural habitats is undoubtedly the biggest threat facing amphibians in Tennessee. Housing, shopping center, industrial and highway construction are all increasing throughout the state and consequently decreasing the amount of available habitat for amphibians.
    [Show full text]
  • A New Species of the Genus Tylototriton (Amphibia: Urodela: Salamandridae) from the Southern Dabie Mountains in Anhui Province
    Asian Herpetological Research 2017, 8(3): 151–164 ORIGINAL ARTICLE DOI: 10.16373/j.cnki.ahr.170013 A New Species of the Genus Tylototriton (Amphibia: Urodela: Salamandridae) from the Southern Dabie Mountains in Anhui Province Lifu QIAN1**, Xiaonan SUN1**, Jiaqi LI2, Weibo GUO2, Tao PAN1, Xing KANG1, Hui WANG1, Jianping JIANG3, Jun WU2* and Baowei ZHANG1* 1 Anhui Key Laboratory of Eco-engineering and Bio-technique, School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, China 2 Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences under the Ministry of Environmental Protection, Nanjing 210042, Jiangsu, China 3 Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China Abstract A new species of the genus Tylototriton is described, from Yuexi county, Anhui province, in the south of the Dabie Mountains. It is based on morphological and molecular analysis. The new species is identified as belonging to the Tylototriton asperrimus group and shares a number of similarities with T. wenxianensis, T. broadoridgus and T. dabienicus. The diagnostic characteristics of the new species are as follows: the head length is greater than the width of the head; bony ridges on the head are prominent and necked-in; the distal digit ends, ventral digits, peripheral area of the cloaca and the tail’s lower edge are orange. The result from the molecular analysis of the genus Tylototriton (including the type specimen of the new species) based on three mitochondrial genes (ND1, ND2 and CYTB) indicated that the new species was close to T. wenxianensis, T. dabienicus, and T. broadoridgus, but formed an independent clade. This result was consistent with the morphological analysis above, which supports the theory that the population distributed in the south of the Dabie Mountains, namely in from Yuexi county, Anhui province, represented a distinct species, Tylototriton anhuiensis sp.
    [Show full text]
  • Triturus Cristatus) and Smooth Newt (Lissotriton Vulgaris) in Cold Climate in Southeast Norway
    diversity Article Assessing the Use of Artificial Hibernacula by the Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus) and Smooth Newt (Lissotriton vulgaris) in Cold Climate in Southeast Norway Børre K. Dervo 1,*, Jon Museth 1 and Jostein Skurdal 2 1 Human Dimension Department, Norwegian Institute of Nature Research (NINA), Vormstuguvegen 40, NO-2624 Lillehammer, Norway; [email protected] 2 Maihaugen, Maihaugvegen 1, NO-2609 Lillehammer, Norway; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +47-907-600-77 Received: 27 May 2018; Accepted: 3 July 2018; Published: 5 July 2018 Abstract: Construction of artificial overwintering habitats, hibernacula, or newt hotels, is an important mitigation measure for newt populations in urban and agricultural areas. We have monitored the use of four artificial hotels built in September 2011 close to a 6000 m2 breeding pond in Norway. The four hotels ranged from 1.6 to 12.4 m3 and were located from 5 to 40 m from the breeding pond. In 2013–2015, 57 Great Crested Newts (Triturus cristatus) and 413 Smooth Newts (Lissotriton vulgaris) spent the winter in the hotels. The proportions of juveniles were 75% and 62%, respectively, and the hotels may be important to secure recruitment. Knowledge on emigration routes and habitat quality for summer use and winter hibernation is important to find good locations for newt hotels. The study documented that newts may survive a minimum temperature of −6.7 ◦C. We recommend that newt hotels in areas with harsh climate are dug into the ground in slopes to reduce low-temperature exposure during winter. Keywords: Triturus cristatus; Lissotriton vulgaris; climate; hibernacula 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Effects of Low Temperature on Testicular Cells in the Marbled Newt, Triturus Marmoratus (Caudata, Salamandridae)
    HERPETOLOGICAL JOURNAL, Vol. 2, pp. 125- 132 ( 1992) EFFECTS OF LOW TEMPERATURE ON TESTICULAR CELLS IN THE MARBLED NEWT, TRITURUS MARMORATUS (CAUDATA, SALAMANDRIDAE) FRANCISCO EZ BENITO FRAILE, AR MIGUEL AND RICARDO PANIAGUA' J. SA , M Y PAZ DE Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, University of Alca/6 de Henares, £-28871 Alcala de Henares, Madrid, Sp ain 'Authorfo r correspondence (Accepted 17.6.91) ABSTRACT The response of the different germ cell types and glandular tissue of the testis to low temperatures (4°C) and long photoperiods ( l 6L:8D) was studied in the marbled newt (Triturus marmoratus) by histologic quantitative methods in the three periods of the annual cycle: quiescence (January-March), germ cell proliferation up to round spermatids (April-June), and spermiogenesis (July-September). Together with each group of cold-exposed newts, another group was maintained at mild temperature (20°C) over the same long photoperiod. At tbe beginning and end of each period, initial and final wild controls were collected. In the quiescent period, only spermatogonial proliferation was observed in the initial and final controls as well as in the cold-exposed newts. The newts kept at 20°C developed spermatogenesis up to the round spermatid level. At the end of the germ cell proliferation period, the final controls showed round spermatids; the newts exposed to 20°C developed complete spermatogenesis; and the newts maintained at 4°C only presented spermatogonial proliferati_on. At the end of the spermiogenesis period, the final controls and the newts kept at 20°C showed complete spermatogenesis and developed glandular tissue whereas the newts exposed to 4°C only had round spermatids and had no glandular tissue.
    [Show full text]
  • Reproductive Characteristics of Two Triturus Species (Amphibia: Caudata)
    Arch Biol Sci. 2020;72(3):321-328 https://doi.org/10.2298/ABS200328026V Reproductive characteristics of two Triturus species (Amphibia: Caudata) Tijana Vučić1,2,*, Ana Ivanović1, Sonja Nikolić1, Jovana Jovanović1 and Milena Cvijanović2 1Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 2Department of Evolutionary Biology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”- National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar despota Stefana 142, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia *Corresponding author: [email protected] Received: March 28, 2020; Revised: June 10, 2020; Accepted: June 11, 2020; Published online: June 17, 2020 Abstract: During three consecutive years, we compared the reproductive characteristics and oviposition dynamics of two crested newt species, Triturus ivanbureschi and T. macedonicus. These two well-defined species are of special interest because of complex interactions at their contact zone, which include hybridization, species replacement and asymmetric mitochondrial DNA introgression. In common garden experiments, females were introduced to conspecific males, to males of other species and to hybrid males. We monitored the total number and size of the deposited eggs, as well as the dynamics and duration of oviposition during three consecutive years. The number of deposited eggs of Triturus species was much higher than previously reported. Triturus macedonicus lay more eggs that were of larger size in comparison to T. ivanbureschi. Also, the onset of T. macedonicus oviposition was considerably delayed compared to T. ivanbureschi. These are fundamental data, important for understanding complex species interactions in their contact zones. Keywords: life history traits; hybrid zone; Salamandridae; Triturus INTRODUCTION the maximum number of eggs that can be laid in a given season, but some eggs might not be deposited Triturus newts, a monophyletic group of nine species [3,14,15].
    [Show full text]