Newt

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A newt is a semiaquatic[1] amphibian of the family Salamandridae,

although not all aquatic salamanders are considered newts. Newts are Newt
classified as a part of the salamandrid subfamily Pleurodelinae, and can
be found in North America, Europe and Asia.

Newts metamorphose through three distinct developmental life stages:

aquatic larva, terrestrial juvenile (called an eft[2]), and adult. Adult
newts have lizard-like bodies and may be either fully aquatic, living
permanently in the water, or semiaquatic, living terrestrially, but
returning to the water every year to breed. Kaiser's spotted newt
Newts are found across Europe, North America, Asia and Japan but a Scientific classification
number of populations are threatened due to pollution or destruction of
their breeding sites and terrestrial habitats. Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Contents Superclass: Tetrapoda
Class: Amphibia
1 Etymology
Subclass: Lissamphibia
2 Distribution Order: Caudata
3 Characteristics Family: Salamandridae
Subfamily: Pleurodelinae
4 Development

5 Toxicity

6 Systematics
7 Conservation status

7.1 China

7.2 Europe

8 As bioindicators

9 As pets

10 References

11 External links

Etymology
The Old English name of the animal was efte, efeta (of unknown origin), resulting in Middle English eft; this
word was transformed irregularly into euft, evete, or ewt(e). The initial 'n' was added from the indefinite
article 'an' by provection (juncture loss) by the early 15th century.[3] The form 'newt' appears to have arisen
as a dialectal variant of eft in Staffordshire, but entered Standard English by the Early Modern period (used
by Shakespeare in Macbeth iv.1).[4]

The regular form eft, now only used for newly metamorphosed specimens, survived alongside newt,
especially in composition, the larva being called "water-eft" and the mature form "land-eft" well into the
18th century, but use of the simplex "eft" as equivalent to "water-eft" has been in use since at least the 17th
century.[5]

Dialectal English and Scots also has the word ask (also awsk, esk in Scots[6]) used for both newts and wall
lizards, from Old English āþexe, from Proto-Germanic *agiþahsijǭ, literally "lizard-badger" (compare
German Eidechse and Echse; *agi- is ultimately cognate with Greek ὄφις, from Proto-Indo-European
*ogʷʰis[7]). Latin had the name stellio for a type of spotted newt, now used for species of the Stellagama
genus. Ancient Greek had the name κορδύλος, presumably for the water newt (immature newt, eft).[8]
German has Molch, from Middle High German mol, olm, like the English term of unknown etymology.

Newts are also known as Tritones (viz., named for the mythological Triton) in historical literature, and
"triton" remains in use as common name in some Romance languages, in Greek, and in Russian. The
systematic name Tritones was introduced alongside Pleurodelinae by Tschudi in 1838, based on the type
genus named Triton by Laurenti in 1768. Laurenti's Triton was renamed to Triturus ("Triton-tail") by
Rafinesque in 1815.[9] Tschudi's Pleurodelinae is based on the type genus Pleurodeles (ribbed newt) named
by Michahelles in 1830 (the name meaning "having prominent ribs", formed from πλευρά "ribs" and δῆλος
"conspicuous").

Distribution
The three common European genera are the crested newts (Triturus spp.), the smooth and palmate newts
(Lissotriton spp.), and the banded newts (Ommatotriton spp.). Other species present in Europe are the
Iberian ribbed newt (Plurodeles waltl), which is the largest of the European newts,[10] the Pyrenean brook
newt (Calotriton sp.); the European brook newt (Euproctus spp.) and the alpine newt (Ichtyosaura
alpestris).[11][12]

In North America, the eastern newts (Notophthalmus spp.) include the red-spotted newt (Notophthalmus
viridescens), which is the most abundant species, but it is limited to the area east of the Rocky Mountains.
The three species of coastal or western newts are the red-bellied newt, the California newt, and the rough-
skinned newt, all of which belong to the genus Taricha, which is confined to the area west of the Rockies.

In Southeast Asia and Japan, species commonly encountered in the pet trade include the fire belly newts
(Cynops spp.), the paddle-tail newts (Pachytriton spp.), the crocodile newts (Tylototriton spp.), and the
warty newts (Paramesotriton spp.). In the Middle East are the spotted newts (Neurergus spp.).[13]

Characteristics
Newts share many of the characteristics of their salamander kin, Caudata, including semipermeable
glandular skin, four equal-sized limbs, and a distinct tail. The newt's skin, however, is not as smooth as that
of other salamanders.[15] Aquatic larvae have true teeth on both
upper and lower jaws, and external gills.[16] They have the ability to
regenerate limbs, eyes, spinal cords, hearts, intestines, and upper and
lower jaws. The Japanese fire belly newt can regenerate its eye lens
18 times over a period of 16 years and retain its structural and
functional properties.[17] The cells at the site of the injury have the
ability to undifferentiate, reproduce rapidly, and differentiate again to
create a new limb or organ. One hypothesis is that the
undifferentiated cells are related to tumour cells since chemicals A red-spotted newt (eft stage) is
which produce tumours in other animals will produce additional showing bright aposematic
colouration to warn predators of its
limbs in newts.[18]
highly toxic skin.[14]

Development
The main breeding season for newts is (in the Northern Hemisphere)
in June and July. After courtship rituals of varying complexity, which
take place in ponds or slow-moving streams, the male newt transfers
a spermatophore which is taken up by the female. Fertilized eggs are
laid singly and are usually attached to aquatic plants. This
distinguishes them from the free-floating eggs of frogs or toads, that Alpine newt larva part-way through
are laid in clumps or in strings. Plant leaves are usually folded over metamorphosis
and attached to the eggs to protect them. The tadpoles, which
resemble fish fry but are distinguished by their feathery external
gills, hatch out in about three weeks. After hatching, they eat algae, small invertebrates, or other tadpoles.

During the next few months, the tadpoles undergo metamorphosis, during which they develop legs, and the
gills are absorbed and replaced by air-breathing lungs.[19] Some species, such as the North American newts,
also become more brightly coloured during this phase. Once fully metamorphosised, they leave the water
and live a terrestrial life, when they are known as "efts".[20] Only when the eft reaches adulthood will the
North American species return to live in water, rarely venturing back onto the land. Conversely, most
European species live their adult lives on land and only visit water to breed.[21]

Toxicity
Many newts produce toxins in their skin secretions as a defence mechanism against predators. Taricha newts
of western North America are particularly toxic. The rough-skinned newt Taricha granulosa of the Pacific
Northwest produces more than enough tetrodotoxin to kill an adult human, and some Native Americans of
the Pacific Northwest used the toxin to poison their enemies.[22] However, the toxins are only dangerous if
ingested, and the newts can easily and safely live in the same ponds or streams as frogs and other
amphibians, or be safely kept as pets. The only predators of Taricha newts are garter snakes, some having
developed a resistance to the poison. Most newts can be safely handled, provided the toxins they produce are
not ingested or allowed to come in contact with mucous membranes or breaks in the skin.[22] After handling,
proper hand-washing techniques should be followed due to the risk
from the toxins they produce and bacteria they carry, such as
Salmonella.[23][24] It is, however, illegal to handle or disturb great
crested newts in the UK without a licence.[25]

Systematics
About two-thirds of all species of the family Salamandridae,
comprising these genera, are commonly called "newts":
Taricha newts are known for their
Calotriton Spanish brook newts toxicity
Cynops firebelly newts
Echinotriton spiny newts
Ichthyosaura alpine newts
Lissotriton small-bodied newts
Neurergus spotted newts
Notophthalmus eastern newts
Ommatotriton banded newts
Pachytriton paddle-tail newts
Paramesotriton warty newts
Pleurodeles ribbed newts
Taricha Pacific newts
Triturus crested newts
Tylototriton crocodile newts

The term "newt" has traditionally been seen as an exclusively functional term for salamanders living in
water, and not a systematic unit. The relationship between the genera has been uncertain, although they have
been suggested to constitute a natural systematic unit and newer molecular analyses tend to support this
position.[26][11][27] Newts only appear in one subfamily of salamanders, the Pleurodelinae (of the family
Salamandridae),[28] however, Salamandrina and Euproctus, which are sometimes listed as Pleurodelinae,
are not newts. Whether these are basal to the subfamily (and thus the sister group of the newt group) or
derived, making the newts an evolutionary grade (an "incomplete" systematic unit, where not all branches of
the family tree belong to the group) is currently not known.[27][29]

Conservation status
China

The Yunnan lake newt is considered extinct.[30]

Europe

Some newt populations in Europe have decreased because of pollution or destruction of their breeding sites
and terrestrial habitats, and countries such as the UK have taken steps to halt their declines.[31][32] In the
UK, they are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Habitat Regulations Act 1994.
It is illegal to catch, possess, or handle great crested newts without a licence, or to cause them harm or death,
or to disturb their habitat in any way. The IUCN Red List categorises the species as ‘lower risk’[21][25]
Although the other UK species, the smooth newt and palmate newt are not listed, the sale of either species is
prohibited under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981.[33]

In Europe, nine newts are listed as "strictly protected fauna species" under appendix II of the Convention on
the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats:[34]

Euproctus asper
Euproctus montanus
Euproctus platycephalus
Triturus carnifex
Triturus cristatus
Triturus dobrogicus
Triturus italicus
Triturus karelinii
Triturus montandoni

The remaining European species are listed as "protected fauna species" under appendix III.[35]

As bioindicators
Newts, as with salamanders in general and other amphibians, serve as bioindicators because of their thin,
sensitive skin and evidence of their presence (or absence) can serve as an indicator of the health of the
environment. Most species are highly sensitive to subtle changes in the pH level of the streams and lakes
where they live. Because their skin is permeable to water, they absorb oxygen and other substances they
need through their skin. Scientists study the stability of the amphibian population when studying the water
quality of a particular body of water.

As pets
Chinese warty newts, Chinese fire belly newts, eastern newts, paddletail newts, Japanese fire belly newts,
Chuxiong fire-bellied newts, Triturus species, emperor newts, Spanish ribbed newts (leucistic genes exist),
and red-tailed knobby newts are some commonly seen newts in the pet trade. Some newts rarely seen in the
pet trade are Rough-skinned newts, Kaiser's spotted newts, Banded newts and Yellow-spotted newts.

References
1. "Newt". Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Encylopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 2015-06-24.
2. "Newts". Current Biology 15: R42–R44. Jan 2005. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2004.12.049. PMID 15668151. Retrieved
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4. The Gentleman's Magazine, and Historical Chronicle, Volume 47 (1777), p. 321 (http://books.google.ch/books?
id=9ntIAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA321).
5. John Wilkins, An Essay Towards a Real Character, and a Philosophical Language (1668), p. 161
(http://books.google.ch/books?id=Q85TAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA161#v=onepage&q&f=false). "the water-eft, or newt, is
only the larva of the land-eft, as tadpoles are of frogs." Gilbert White, The Natural History and Antiquities of
Selborne, in the County of Southampton (1789) p. 50 (http://books.google.ch/books?
id=yVsOAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA50). "the salamandra aquatica of Hay, (the water-newt, or eft,)" Archibald Constable,
Constable's miscellany of original and selected publications in the various departments of literature, science, & the
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 6. John Jamieson, An etmological dictionary of the Scottish language (1818)
7. Pfeifer, Etymologisches Wörterbuch s.v. Eidechse (http://www.dwds.de/?qu=Eidechse).
8. Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon (http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/morph?
l=kordu%2Flos&la=greek&can=kordu%2Flos0#lexicon)
9. Alain Dubois and Roger Bour, The nomenclatural status of the nomina of amphibians and reptiles created by
Garsault (1764), with a parsimonious solution to an old nomenclatural problem regarding the genus Bufo
(Amphibia, Anura), comments on the taxonomy of this genus, and comments on some nomina created by Laurenti
(1768) (http://www.iucn-tftsg.org/wp-content/uploads/file/Articles/Dubois_and_Bour_2010a.pdf), Zootaxa 2447
(2010), 1–52.
10. "A Newt Tale". Calacademy.org. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
11. Steinfartz, S., S. Vicario, J. W. Arntzen, & A. Caccone (2006): A Bayesian approach on molecules and behavior:
reconsidering phylogenetic and evolutionary patterns of the Salamandridae with emphasis on Triturus newts. Journal
of Experimental Zoology Part B: Molecular and Developmental Evolution
12. Carranza, S. & Amat, F. (2005) Taxonomy, biogeography and evolution of Euproctus (Amphibia: Salamandridae),
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13. "Welcome livingunderworld.org - Hostmonster.com". Livingunderworld.org. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
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15. Collins, J. T.; Conant, R.; Stebbins, R. C.; Peterson, R. T. (1999). Peterson First Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians.
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16. Heying, Heather. "Adw: Caudata: Information". Animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
17. "Newts re-grow eye lens 18 times over". COSMOS magazine. 2011-07-13. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
18. [1] (http://www.bioscience.utah.edu/mb/mbFaculty/odelberg/odelberg.html) Archived
(https://web.archive.org/web/20060902234319/http://www.bioscience.utah.edu/mb/mbFaculty/odelberg/odelberg.ht
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19. "Amphibians - body, used, water, process, Earth, life, characteristics, form, animals, oxygen, air, plant, change,
History, Characteristics, Life cycle, Three major groupings". Scienceclarified.com. 2009-10-13. Retrieved
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20. "Cambridge City Council: Local Nature Reserves". Lnr.cambridge.gov.uk. 2005-07-25. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
21. "BBC Nature - Great crested newt videos, news and facts". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
22. "Caudata Culture Articles - Newt Toxins". Caudata.org. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
23. Salmonellosis - Reptiles and Amphibians
(http://web.archive.org/web/20040618015311/http://www.metrokc.gov/health/prevcont/salmonellosis-reptiles.htm)
24. "CDC MMWR: Reptile-Associated Salmonellosis: Selected States, 1998-2002". Cdc.gov. 2003-12-12. Retrieved
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25. "Science & Nature - Wildfacts - Smooth newt, common newt". BBC. 2012-04-27. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
26. Titus, T. A.; Larson, A. (1995). "A molecular phylogenetic perspective on the evolutionary radiation of the
salamander family Salamandridae". Systematic Biology 44: 125–151. doi:10.1093/sysbio/44.2.125.
27. Weisrock, D. W.; Papenfuss, T. J.; Macey, J. R.; Litvinchuk, S. N.; Polymeni, R.; Ugurtas, I. H.; Zhao, E.; Jowkar,
H.; Larson, A. (2006). "A molecular assessment of phylogenetic relationships and lineage accumulation rates within
the family Salamandridae (Amphibia, Caudata)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 41: 368–383.
doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2006.05.008. PMID 16815049.
28. Larson, A, Wake, D., & Devitt, T. (2007): Salamandridae, Newts and "True Salamanders". Tree of Life on-line
project [2] (http://tolweb.org/Salamandridae)
29. Montori, A. and P. Herrero (2004): Caudata. In Amphibia, Lissamphibia. García-París, M., Montori, A., and P.
Herrero. Fauna Ibérica, vol. 24. Ramos M. A. et al. (eds.). Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales. CSIC. Madrid: pp
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30. Yang Datong, Michael Wai Neng Lau (2004). "Cynops wolterstorffi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version
2012.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
31. "USGS Amphibian Research Monitoring Initiative (Pacific Northwest Region)". Fresc.usgs.gov. 2013-01-30.
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32. UK Biodiversity Action Plan (http://www.ukbap.org.uk/UKPlans.aspx?ID=619) Archived
(https://web.archive.org/web/20071024112706/http://www.ukbap.org.uk/UKPlans.aspx?ID=619) October 24, 2007,
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33. "Smooth newt videos, photos and facts - Triturus vulgaris". ARKive. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
34. "Annexe II: Strictly protected fauna species". Retrieved 2013-06-06.
35. "Annexe III: Protected fauna species". Retrieved 2013-06-06.
External links
Data related to Pleurodelinae at Wikispecies
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