Kaiser Neurergus
Common names: Triton Emperor, Emperor Triton, Triton of the Zagros Mountains, Lurestan Triton, Triton Iran.
Neurergus kaiser (Schmidt, 1952)
Description:
The Neurergus Kaiser is the smallest species of the genus Neurergus , reaching adult total length of 10-15 cm (the other species reach 14-19 cm). While the species congeners exhibit a substantially similar color, with spots circular yellow on black and orange belly part, the kaiser Neurergus has a very particular color: extreme contrast, black with irregular white spots, which vary from individual to individual. These spots affect the head, back, sides of body and tail and usually tend to expand and fuse together during growth of the animal. The parotid glands, not given, are highlighted by a large white patch slightly soiled orange. Along the back is a yellow-orange line, running from behind his head and continues uninterrupted until you pass the hind legs. From the point of termination of this line, it started a low ridge on the caudal margin continuous, more developed during the aquatic phase. The arts have faded orange color, pinkish, with black mottling regularly located at the level of erticolazioni (elbow, wrist, knee and ankle joints) and the tip of your fingers (usually small pinpoint spots are also present along the fingers). The underside of hands and feet has flattened, a characteristic that makes the Emperor newt an excellent climber. The ventral region (sub-throat, belly and under-tail) are colored yellow, orange or orange-red, immaculate or with small blackish spots point.
The distinction between the sexes outside the breeding season is rather difficult. However, during the spawning season are obvious differences in the anatomy of the cloaca: the male has a large cloacal relief and rounded, while the female has a cone-shaped and elongated cloaca.
The morphology of the skull and vertebrae denotes significant differences between N. Kaiser and N. Strauch, and a greater resemblance to M. alpestris Triturus and gender. The evolutionary-based DNA analysis reveals that the 4 species of Neurergus are monophyletic (descended from a common ancestor) and that their closest relatives are the genera Triturus and Euproctus .
Distribution and habitat:
Locus typicus is in the province of Lurestan Bazan Shah in Iran. In particular the area south of the foothills of the Zagros Mountains, at altitudes between 500 and 1430 m above sea level
currently only two known populations (Shah and Bazan Talehzang), while a third is considered extinct.
Unlike other Neurergus , who live in relatively cold climates and inhabit mountain streams, N. Kaiser lives in a warm, dry climate, with summer temperatures above 40 ° C and low vegetation cover.
Playback starts in winter during the rainy season in temporary ponds where water can reach temperatures exceeding 23 ° C in April.
It is believed that there is a long period of aestivation, during which the animals can remain active, however, taking refuge in caves, wetlands, characterized by springs that give rise to small streams.
Biology:
Triton rather shy and active mainly in low light conditions.
During the land his moves fast and snappy make it resemble more like a lizard to a newt.
The reproductive behavior, once in water, is substantially similar to that of the genus Triturus
: The male is placed in front of the female side and started to beat the queue.
In this way it directs a flow to the female pheromone. If the female is receptive to the male approaches, which starts moving sinuously to leave the queue. The female follows him, touching his tail with his nose. The male deposits the spermatofora, yet a few steps forward and turns 90 degrees, moving perpendicular to the female. In this way stops the female in a position such that the sewer is above the point where the spermatofora was deposed. Finally, the female collects the spermatofora in its cloaca.
Mating takes place mostly at night.
deposition generally takes place in March-April, depending on altitude.
The particular shape of the female cloaca serves to lay their eggs singly in cracks of submerged rocks (a characteristic that is found in urodeles typical of flowing waters as Euproctus ).
The larvae emerge from the egg after about 17 days to a length of 13-14 mm. The metamorphosis in captivity is completed in 3-4 months, with a total length of 45-55 mm in Nature, the metamorphosis is probably accelerated by the transience of breeding sites.
The dorsal ridge of the larva is well developed and go through the middle of the body, an adaptation typical of larvae that live in stagnant water.
It is believed that nature in the diet is composed almost exclusively of small aquatic crustaceans.
From 2005, the IUCN has listed the Neurergus kaiser in the Red List as Critically Endengered (CR), because the species has a restricted distribution and characteristics of the region mean that there is no genetic exchange between the different populations. It is estimated that in nature there are no more than 1000 individuals sexually mature.
Another serious threat is the removal of animals for terrarium: the beautiful livery of this newt has indeed made an "object of desire in the world of terraristic. Fortunately, in recent
years, many farmers have reproduced this species and the establishment of important plans for captive breeding seems the only solution to safeguard the species, given the current inability to work directly on the ground.
------------------------------ -------------------------------------------------- -
Text James Brown and Photos © Copyright 2008-2009 © blogamphibia.it
. All rights reserved. It 'may not be reproduced, even partially.