DOCSLIB.ORG

First Record of Facultative Paedomorphosis in The

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
First Record of Facultative Paedomorphosis in The Herpetology Notes, volume 10: 255-260 (2017) (published online on 20 May 2017) First record of facultative paedomorphosis in the Macedonian crested newt (Triturus macedonicus) and an additional record for the Greek smooth newt (Lissotriton vulgaris) from Greece: implications on species conservation and preservation of alternative ontogenetic trajectories Konstantinos Sotiropoulos*, Konstantinos Moustakas, Konstantinos Konstantinidis, Vasiliki Mantzana-Oikonomaki, Souzanna Siarabi and Anastasios Bounas Heterochrony, defined as processes altering the rate essential in preservation of the evolutionary potential of or timing of developmental events relative to the same species (Denoël et al., 2005b; Denoël, 2007; Denoël and events in the ancestors, produces phenotypic variation Ficetola, 2015). with significant contribution in micro and macro- Among European newts, facultative paedomorphosis evolutionary processes (Gould, 1977; McNamara, has been frequently reported for the alpine newt, 2012). A case of heterochrony is paedomorphosis, Ichthyosaura alpestris (Laurenti, 1768), and the smooth which is expressed in caudate amphibians as aquatic newt, Lissotriton vulgaris (Linnaeus, 1758) (Kalezić gilled larvae acquire sexual maturity bypassing and Džukić , 1985; Litvinchuk et al., 1996; Denoël metamorphosis. Facultative paedomorphosis is et al., 2001; Sidorovska et al., 2003; Çiçek and Ayaz, frequently observed in newts and salamanders in a large 2011; Covaciu-Markov et al., 2011; Gvozdik et al., diversity of habitats and is an environmentally induced 2013; Litvinchuk, 2013; Pizzuti-Piccoli, 2013; Bozcurt polymorphism that results in the coexistence of both et al., 2015; Kizil et al., 2016). However, facultative phenotypes–the paedomorphs and the metamorphs– in paedomorphosis is rare in the crested newts (Triturus the same reproductive habitat (Semlitsch and Wilbur, species complex). For instance, in the Macedonian 1989; Denoël et al., 2005a). One explanation to the crested newt, Triturus macedonicus (Karaman, 1922), persistence of facultative paedomorphosis in natural only five records from a restricted area in Montenegro populations is that it allows individuals to cope with have been reported so far (Kalezić et al., 1994; Denoël environmental heterogeneity and increase their fitness, et al., 2009; Slijepcevic, 2015). The Montenegrin karst since each phenotype is being adapted to spatially or area is already appreciated as a recognizable centre of temporally available resources (Whiteman, 1994; Ryan facultative paedomorphosis, where local populations and Semlitsch, 1998; Denoël and Ficetola, 2014). This of three different species have found to contain both process, besides its expected contribution towards metamorphic and paedomorphic individuals (Džukić possible speciation events, also increases biodiversity at et al., 1990; Breuil, 1992; Denoël et al., 2001; Ćirović, the intraspecific level. Therefore, preservation of such 2004; Denoël et al., 2009). Additionally, coexistence of alternative ontogenetic pathways can be considered as alternative morphs of two different species (L. vulgaris and T. macedonicus) was found in only five sites, which is also a very rare pattern. Following Denoël (2007), Montenegro appears to be a hotspot for paedomorphosis because of its high density of populations with Molecular Ecology & Conservation Genetics Lab, Department of Biological Applications & Technologies, School of Health paedomorphosis and mainly because all three species Sciences, University of Ioannina, GR 45110 Ioannina, present this alternative life-history trait. Greece Four species of European newts are found in Greece * Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected] (Valakos et al., 2008). Among them, facultative 256 Konstantinos Sotiropoulos et al. pond situated at the University of Ioannina Campus (39.6141°N; 20.8437°E, 497 m a. s. l). The closest paved road is approximately 50m away and the closest building at approx. 180m. The pond is circular in shape with a mean annual diameter of 18 m and maximum depth of 1.3m in early spring (mean surface area 254 m2, mean water volume 165 m3), while approximately 75% of pond’s bottom is covered with submerged aquatic vegetation (Figure 1A). The surrounding habitat is characterized mostly by abandoned cultivations and extended pastures of herbaceous vegetation, with sparse deciduous trees, either individually or in small stands. The pond has not been used for livestock or cultivation watering for the last 15 years, upon the establishment of the University Campus in the area, while no other use or activity is in place for the same time period. The pond is used as a breeding site for Macedonian crested newts (Triturus macedonicus) and four anuran species (Pelophylax epeiroticus, Bufo bufo, Bufo viridis, Hyla arborea). On 28 November 2014, a total of 147 smooth newts (63 males and 84 females) and three Macedonian crested newts (2 males and 1 female) were caught by dip nets, within an hour of sampling by one person. All individuals were anaesthetized in a 0.2 % w/v aquatic solution of Ethyl 3-aminobenzoate methanesulfonate (MS222), weighted, sexed and measured at the nearest 0.1 mm with digital callipers by the same Figure 1. (A) Breeding pond of paedomorphic Lissotriton person, and after recovery released to the point of vulgaris and Triturus macedonicus in Ioannina basin (Epirus capture. Paedomorphic individuals were recognized prefecture, NW Greece); (B) Ventral view of paedomorphic as presenting adult morphology (size and coloration and metamorphic smooth newts (Lissotriton vulgaris) caught pattern) while retaining external gills. The morphology at the specific pond. From bottom to the top: metamorphic of the cloaca was further considered in assessing sexual female, paedomorphic female, paedomorphic male, maturity, since it offers a rapid and highly reliable trait metamorphic male. Arrows point at the external gills. Photos to discriminate paedomorphs from over-wintering by Konstantinos Sotiropoulos. larvae, as occasionally overwintering larvae of newts may reach relatively large body sizes (Covaciu-Marcov and Cicort-Lucaciu, 2009; Denoël, 2017) (Figure 1B). Among the 147 captured smooth newts, 58 males and paedomorphosis has been reported only for the alpine 82 females were paedomorphs while only five males newt (five localities; Denoël et al., 2001; Denoël, 2004) and two females were metamorphic individuals. Sex and for the smooth newt (two localities; Sotiropoulos ratio was 1.4 females/male for paedomorphs and the et al., 2008). morph ratio was approximately 20:1 (paedomorphs/ In this paper we present the first record of facultative metamorph), which means that 95.2% of the captured paedomorphosis in T. macedonicus from Greece, along individuals were paedomorphs. Using snout-vent length with an additional record of paedomorphosis in L. (SVL) as a measure of body size, the mean SVL ( ± SD, vulgaris graecus (Wolterstorff, 1905). along with minimum and maximum measures, was 37.3 During an inventory of amphibians in the Ioannina ± 8.1 mm (29.3-62.1 mm) for paedomorphic females, basin in 2014, we located a breeding site containing 36.2 ± 6.9 mm (25.1-45.9 mm) for paedomorphic males, smooth newts exhibiting facultative paedomorphosis. 41.0 ± 1.0 mm (40.3-41.7 mm) for metamorphic females The habitat regards an artificial (man-made) stone-wall and 39.0 ± 3.9 mm (35.5-41.1 mm) for metamorphic First record of facultative paedomorphosis in the Macedonian crested newt 257 Table 1. Body measurements (in mm) of female metamorphic During a recent sampling session on 11 February and paedomorphic Triturus macedonicus from the breeding 2017, as part of an ongoing project studying resource 1 Table 1. Bodypond measurements in Ioannina (in (NW mm) Greece). of female L: metamorphic total length; and SVL: paedomorphic snout- partitioningTriturus between morphs and species in the site, apart 2 macedonicusvent from length; the breedingN: sample pond size. in ForIoannina each body(NW Greece).trait the meanL: total (± length; SVL: 3 snout-vent length; N: sample size. For each body trait the mean (± SD), as wellfrom as the smooth newts, a total of 23 T. macedonicus were SD), as well as the minimum and the maximum measurements 4 minimum and the maximum measurements are given. captured by dip nets within one hour of sampling by four are given. 5 persons. Among them, one individual (Figure 1A, B) was identified as exhibiting facultative paedomorphosis. The L SVL Metamorphs (N = 7) mean (± SD) 138.7 (13.7) 80.9 (8.3) specimen presented well developed external gills, while min - max 125.8-156.8 70.2-90.8 visual inspection of the cloaca identified it as a mature Paedomorphs (N = 2) mean (± SD) 127.9 (3.5) 70.2 (2.7) female (Figure 2C). The individual was anaesthetized min - max 125.4-130.3 68.3-72.1 in a 0.2% w/v solution of MS222, weighted, measured 6 with digital callipers to the nearest 0.1 mm, and after recovery released to the point of capture. The female weighted at 10.7 g, and measured total body length (L) = 130.3 mm and SVL = 72.1 mm. Additionally, the males. Since the sample size of metamorphs was overall body condition of the specimen refers to a gravid low, we compared body size between sexes only in individual, but this has not been confirmed otherwise paedomorphs. Differences in SVL between sexes in (e.g. inspection of gonads etc). Body coloration also paedomorphs, were tested for statistical significance by highly resembles (practically indistinguishable) the applying a Mann-Whitney U Test in STATISTICA
Load more

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]
  • Pre-Incursion Plan PIP006 Salamanders and Newts
    Pre-incursion Plan PIP006 Salamanders and Newts Pre-incursion Plan PIP006 Salamanders and Newts Order: Ambystomatidae, Cryptobranchidea and Proteidae Scope This plan is in place to guide prevention and eradication activities and the management of non-indigenous populations of Salamanders and Newts (Order Caudata; Families Salamandridae, Ambystomatidae, Cryptobranchidea and Proteidae) amphibians in the wild in Victoria. Version Document Status Date Author Reviewed By Approved for Release 1.0 First Draft 26/07/11 Dana Price M. Corry, S. Wisniewski and A. Woolnough 1.1 Second Draft 21/10/11 Dana Price S. Wisniewski 2.0 Final Draft 18/01/2012 Dana Price 3.0 Revision Draft 12/11/15 Dana Price J. Goldsworthy 3.1 New Final 10/03/2016 Nigel Roberts D.Price New DEDJTR templates and document review Published by the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, Agriculture Victoria, May 2016 © The State of Victoria 2016. This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. Authorised by the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, 1 Spring Street, Melbourne 3000. Front cover: Smooth Newt (Lissotriton vulgaris) Photo: Image courtesy of High Risk Invasive Animals group, DEDJTR Photo: Image from Wikimedia Commons and reproduced with permission under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic License. ISBN 078-1-925532-40-1 (pdf/online) Disclaimer This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.
    [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]
  • Predation of Newts (Salamandridae, Pleurodelinae) by Eurasian Otters Lutra Lutra (Linnaeus)
    RESEARCH ARTICLE The Herpetological Bulletin 132, 2015: 9-14 Predation of newts (Salamandridae, Pleurodelinae) by Eurasian otters Lutra lutra (Linnaeus) GARETH S. PARRY1,2, NATHALIE YONOW2 & DAN FORMAN2* 1Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, The Conservation Centre, Robinswood Hill Country Park, Reservoir Road, Gloucester, GL4 6SX, UK 2Swansea Ecology Research Team, Department of Biosciences, College of Science, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK *Corresponding author email: [email protected] ABSTRACT - The remains of newts (Pleurodelinae) were recorded in Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) spraints collected from two river systems on the Gower peninsula, Wales, U.K., between 2005 and 2007. Spraints were collected during detailed field surveys undertaken every two weeks as part of a two-year otter study. Palmate newt remains, mainly vertebrae and maxillae, were identified in 9.27% (43/464) of the spraints analysed by comparison with a reference collection of bones. This study demonstrates for the first time the extent to which otters may consume newts in the UK. Newt remains were recorded in spraints collected during all but two months (February and March) with the largest proportion of occurrences falling between April and July. Conservative estimates of the number of individuals consumed ranged between one and 31 newts per spraint. Newts represent a profitable prey for otters and, as with other amphibians, may represent a seasonally important dietary component with the newts becoming particularly vulnerable during reproductive accumulations. Sporadic but occasionally intense predation of newts by otters may affect both the breeding success and the dynamics of local newt populations. The presence of otters should be taken into consideration when planning conservation and translocation programs for newts.
    [Show full text]
  • Amphibians & Reptiles in the Garden
    Amphibians & Reptiles in the Garden Slow-worm by Mike Toms lthough amphibians and reptiles belong to two different taxonomic classes, they are often lumped together. Together they share some ecological similarities and may even look superficially similar. Some are familiar A garden inhabitants, others less so. Being able to identify the different species can help Garden BirdWatchers to accurately record those species using their gardens and may also reassure those who might be worried by the appearance of a snake. Only a small number of native amphibians and reptiles, plus a handful of non-native species, breed in the UK. So, with a few identification tips and a little understanding of their ecology and behaviour, they are fairly easy to identify. This guide sets out to help you improve your identification skills, not only for general Garden BirdWatch recording, but also in the hope that you will help us with a one-off survey of these fascinating creatures. Several of our amphibians thrive in the garden and five of the native Amphibians species, Common Frog, Common Toad and the three newts, can reasonably be expected to be found in the garden for at least part of the year. There are also a few introduced species which have been recorded from gardens, together with our remaining native species, which although rare need to be considered for completeness. Common Frog: (right) Rana temporaria Common Toad: (below) Grows to 6–7 cm. Bufo bufo Predominant colour Has ‘warty’ skin which looks is brown, but often dry when the animal is on variable, including land.
    [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]
  • 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]
  • Palmate Newt • Smooth Newt Rare Species
    Identifying amphibians Which species are we looking for? Priorities . • Great Crested Newt • Common Frog • Common Toad But also . • Palmate Newt • Smooth Newt Rare species Rare species – Natterjack Toads and Pool Frogs have very limited distributions. You are very unlikely to encounter these species unless you are surveying a site where their presence is already known. Non-native species • Non-native animals are still relatively uncommon and isolated. • But they do occur and it’s worth keeping an eye out for anything unusual. North American Bullfrog Lithobates catesbeiana Common Frog Rana temporaria • Frogs have smooth skins and are relatively athletic, for example leaping about if netted. Dark patch usually present behind the eye Variable coloration and markings Common Frog • Occasional large aggregations in excess of 2000 individuals but usually much less • Often lays spawn in ephemeral ponds which dry up during summer • Wide range of pond pH recorded 4.5 – 8.5 Green (water) frogs • Most likely non native species. • Also variable in coloration. • No dark patch behind eye. • Bask in and around pond. • Call loudly from late spring to summer. • Difficult to approach. Marsh Frog Pelophylax ridibundus Common Toad Bufo bufo • Toads have rough, warty skins, so are readily identifiable from common frogs. Toad spawn • Toad spawn is deposited in long gelatinous strings, wound around water plants. It is usually produced a little after frogspawn. It is harder to spot than the more familiar frogspawn – but it may be revealed during netting. Common Frog and Toad tadpoles • On hatching both species are very dark. However, frog tadpoles become mottled with bronze spots.
    [Show full text]
  • Streamside Salamander Identification Guide
    Key to the Identification of Streamside Salamanders 1 Ambystoma spp., mole salamanders (Family Ambystomatidae) Appearance: Medium to large stocky salamanders. Large round heads with bulging eyes. Larvae are also stocky and have elaborate gills. Size: 3-8” (Total length). Spotted salamander, Ambystoma maculatum Habitat: Burrowers that spend much of their life below ground in terrestrial habitats. Some species, (e.g. marbled salamander) may be found under logs or other debris in riparian areas. All species breed in fishless isolated ponds or wetlands. Range: Statewide. Other: Five species in Georgia. This group includes some of the largest and most dramatically patterned terrestrial species. Marbled salamander, Ambystoma opacum Amphiuma spp., amphiuma (Family Amphiumidae) Appearance: Gray to black, eel-like bodies with four greatly reduced, non-functional legs (A). Size: up to 46” (Total length) Habitat: Lakes, ponds, ditches and canals, one species is found in deep pockets of mud along the Apalachicola River floodplains. A Range: Southern half of the state. A Other: One species, the two-toed amphiuma (A. means), shown on the right, is known to occur in A. pholeter southern Georgia; a second species, ,Two-toed amphiuma, Amphiuma means may occur in extreme southwest Georgia, but has yet to be confirmed. The two-toed amphiuma (shown in photo) has two diminutive toes on each of the front limbs. 2 Cryptobranchus alleganiensis, hellbender (Family Cryptobranchidae) Appearance: Very large, wrinkled salamander with eyes positioned laterally (A). Brown-gray in color with darker splotches Size: 12-29” (Total length) A Habitat: Large, rocky, fast-flowing streams. Often found beneath large rocks in shallow rapids.
    [Show full text]
  • Marbled Newt, Triturus Marmoratus; Alpine Newt, Ping Behaviour by Placing Newts in the Same Type of T
    HERPETOLOGICAL JOURNAL, Vol. 13, pp. 121-124 {2003) OVIPOSITION BEHAVIOUR AND VULNERABILITY OF EGGS TO PREDATION IN FOUR NEWT SPECIES (GENUS TR ITURUS) GERMAN ORlZAOLA AND FLORENTINO BRANA Departamento de Biologia de Organismos y Sistemas, Un iversidad de Oviedo, clCatedratico Rodrigo Uria sin , 33071 Oviedo, Sp ain Most animals develop some kind of parental care in order to protect eggs or offspring from predation. Female newts (genus Triturus) protect eggs from predators by wrapping them individually in plant leaves. We studied oviposition characteristics of four newt species inhabiting the northern Iberian Peninsula (marbled newt, Tr iturus marmoratus; alpine newt, T. alpestris; palmate newt, T. helveticus and Bosca's newt, T. boscai). All of these species are able to wrap their eggs in aquatic plants in laboratory experiments, but - whereas T. marmoratus, T. alpestris and T. helveticus wrapped more than 90% of their eggs - T. boscai covered only half of the eggs completely with leaves. T. boscai is found in running waters more frequently than the other species, and lays larger eggs relative to femalesize, as is typical ofrunning water urodeles. A parallel experiment exposing newt eggs to predation by larvae ofthe dragonflyAeshna cyanea, demonstrated the protective value ofwrapping behaviour. About half of the unwrapped eggs were consumed, whereas protected eggs remained almost unattacked. Keywords : Aeshnidae, egg-laying, Odonata, parental care, Urodela INTRODUCTION cated that predatory larvae detect the eggs by tactile cues, so wrapping eggs in leaves could prevent dragon­ Amphibians show a great diversity of reproductive flies detecting their presence. A. cyanea has also been modes ranging fromthe deposition of masses of eggs in reported to alter the behaviour and development of newt ponds to viviparity (Duellman & Trueb, 1986).
    [Show full text]
  • Salamander Species Listed As Injurious Wildlife Under 50 CFR 16.14 Due to Risk of Salamander Chytrid Fungus Effective January 28, 2016
    Salamander Species Listed as Injurious Wildlife Under 50 CFR 16.14 Due to Risk of Salamander Chytrid Fungus Effective January 28, 2016 Effective January 28, 2016, both importation into the United States and interstate transportation between States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territory or possession of the United States of any live or dead specimen, including parts, of these 20 genera of salamanders are prohibited, except by permit for zoological, educational, medical, or scientific purposes (in accordance with permit conditions) or by Federal agencies without a permit solely for their own use. This action is necessary to protect the interests of wildlife and wildlife resources from the introduction, establishment, and spread of the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans into ecosystems of the United States. The listing includes all species in these 20 genera: Chioglossa, Cynops, Euproctus, Hydromantes, Hynobius, Ichthyosaura, Lissotriton, Neurergus, Notophthalmus, Onychodactylus, Paramesotriton, Plethodon, Pleurodeles, Salamandra, Salamandrella, Salamandrina, Siren, Taricha, Triturus, and Tylototriton The species are: (1) Chioglossa lusitanica (golden striped salamander). (2) Cynops chenggongensis (Chenggong fire-bellied newt). (3) Cynops cyanurus (blue-tailed fire-bellied newt). (4) Cynops ensicauda (sword-tailed newt). (5) Cynops fudingensis (Fuding fire-bellied newt). (6) Cynops glaucus (bluish grey newt, Huilan Rongyuan). (7) Cynops orientalis (Oriental fire belly newt, Oriental fire-bellied newt). (8) Cynops orphicus (no common name). (9) Cynops pyrrhogaster (Japanese newt, Japanese fire-bellied newt). (10) Cynops wolterstorffi (Kunming Lake newt). (11) Euproctus montanus (Corsican brook salamander). (12) Euproctus platycephalus (Sardinian brook salamander). (13) Hydromantes ambrosii (Ambrosi salamander). (14) Hydromantes brunus (limestone salamander). (15) Hydromantes flavus (Mount Albo cave salamander).
    [Show full text]