Newt 54915 225122865 2008-07-12T00:10:00Z ClueBot 4928500 Reverting possible vandalism by [[Special:Contributions/209.244.43.219|209.244.43.219]] to version by 86.166.43.251. False positive? [[User:ClueBot/FalsePositives|Report it]]. Thanks, [[User:ClueBot]]. (438221) (Bot) {{otheruses1|the animal}} {{Taxobox | name = Newts | image = Smooth newt.jpeg | image_width = 200px | image_caption = [[Smooth Newt]] (''Triturus vulgaris'') | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]] | classis = [[Lissamphibia]] | ordo = [[Urodela]]/[[Caudata]] | familia = [[Salamandridae]] }} The '''Newt''' is an [[amphibian]] of the [[Salamandridae]] family, order [[Urodela]] or [[Caudata]], found in [[North America]], [[Europe]], and [[Asia]]. Their eggs are laid singly in [[pond]]s or slow-moving streams, attached to aquatic plants. This distinguishes them from the free-floating eggs of frogs, that are laid in clumps, or toads, that are laid in strings. The larvae leave the water as a terrestrial form called an '''eft''', returning to the water when mature to live or to breed. The adult form has a lizard-like body and is either aquatic or semi-aquatic. The oldest form of the name is ''eft'', which is still used for newly metamorphosed juveniles, but according to the ''[[Oxford English Dictionary]]'' it changed for unknown reasons first to ''euft'' and then to ''ewt''. For some time it remained as ''an ewt'', but the "n" from the indefinite article ''an'' [[A_and_an#Juncture_loss|shifted]] to form ''a newt''. == Distribution == The three common [[Europe]]an genera are the [[crested newt]]s (''[[Triturus]] sp.''), the [[smooth newt]]s and [[palmate newt]]s (''[[Lissotriton]] sp.'') and the [[Banded Newt|banded newts]] (''[[Ommatotriton]] sp.''). Other species present in Europe are the [[Iberian ribbed newt]] (''Plurodeles waltl''), which is the largest of the European newts,<ref>[http://www.calacademy.org/science_now/archive/wild_lives/ribbed_newt.php www.calcadamemy.org; California Academy of Sciences] Accessed [[2007-12-05]]</ref> the pyrenean brook newt (''[[Calotriton]] sp.''); the European brook newt (''[[Euproctus]] sp.'') and the [[Alpine newt]] (''Mesotriton alpestris'').<ref>Carranza, S. & Amat, F. (2005) Taxonomy, biogeography and evolution of Euproctus (Amphibia: Salamandridae), with the resurrection of the genus Calotriton and the description of a new endemic species from the Iberian Peninsula Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 145 (4), 555–582.</ref><ref>Steinfartz, S., S. Vicario, J. W. Arntzen, and A. Caccone. 2007. 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 308B:139-162.</ref> In [[North America]], there are the Eastern newts (''[[Notophthalmus]] sp.''), of which the [[red-spotted newt]] (''Notophthalmus viridescens'') 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.{{Fact|date=December 2007}} In Southeast [[Asia]] and [[Japan]], species commonly encountered in the [[pet]] trade include the [[Fire Belly Newt|fire belly newts]] (''[[Cynops]] sp.''), the paddletail newts (''[[Pachytriton]] sp.''), the crocodile newts (''[[Tylototriton]] sp.''), and the warty newts (''[[Paramesotriton]] sp.''). In the [[Middle East]] there are the middle eastern newts (''[[Neurergus]] sp.'').<ref name=livworld>[http://www.livingunderworld.org/caudata/database/salamandridae/ livingunderworld.org; Amphibian Order:caudata ]; Accessed [[2007-02-05]]</ref> == Characteristics == [[Image:Notophthalmus viridescensPCCA20040816-3983A.jpg|thumb|225px|A Red-spotted newt showing bright [[aposematic]] coloration to warn predators of its highly toxic skin.]] Like all members of the order Caudata, newts are characterised by a lizard-like body with four equal sized limbs and a distinct tail. Aquatic larvae have true teeth on both upper and lower jaws and external gills.<ref>Heying, H. 2003. "Caudata" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. [http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Caudata.html.] Accessed [[2007-12-05]]</ref> They have the ability to [[Regeneration (biology)|regenerate]] [[Limb (anatomy)|limb]]s, [[eye]]s, [[spinal cord]]s, [[heart]]s, [[intestine]]s, and upper and lower [[jaw]]s. The [[cell (biology)|cell]]s at the site of the injury have the ability to de-[[Cellular differentiation|differentiate]], reproduce rapidly, and differentiate again to create a new limb or organ. One theory is that the de-differentiated cells are related to [[tumour]] cells since chemicals which produce tumours in other animals will produce additional limbs in newts.<ref>[http://www.bioscience.utah.edu/mb/mbFaculty/odelberg/odelberg.html www.bioscience.utah.edu; Odelberg, S.] Accessed [[2007-01-24]]</ref> Many newts produce [[toxin]]s in their skin secretions as a [[Defence mechanism (biology)|defense mechanism]] against [[predator]]s. ''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. In order to cause harm, the toxins have to enter the body by being ingested or entering a break in the skin.<ref name="caudata">see [http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/toxin2.shtml caudata.org] Accessed [[2007-11-28]]</ref> == Development == [[Image:Smooth Newt larva (aka).jpg|thumb|right|225px|[[Alpine newt]] [[larva]]]] The main breeding season for newts is between the months of February and June. After courtship rituals of varying complexity, which take place in ponds or slow moving streams, the [[egg (biology)|eggs]] are fertilised outside the female's body and attached, singly, to the leaves of aquatic plants. The plant leaves are usually folded over and adhered to the eggs to protect them. The [[tadpole]]s, which resemble fish fry but are distinguished by their feathery external gills, hatch in about three weeks. After hatching they eat algae, small invertebrates or other tadpoles. During the next few months the tadpoles undergo [[Metamorphosis (biology)|metamorphosis]], during which they develop legs, and the gills change into air-breathing lungs.<ref>[http://www.scienceclarified.com/Al-As/Amphibians.html www.scienceclarified.com] Accessed [[2007-12-01]]</ref><ref>[http://www.ypte.org.uk/docs/factsheets/animal_facts/british_amphibian.html Young People's Trust for the Environment amphibians factsheet] Accessed [[2007-12-01]]</ref>Some species, such as the [[North America]]n 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".<ref>http://lnr.cambridge.gov.uk/news/article.asp?ItemID=285 Accessed [[2008-03-06]]</ref> 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.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/478.shtml bbc.co.uk Factfile 478] Accessed [[2007-11-30]]</ref> == Handling and toxicity== Although newts have a toxin on their skin, most newts can be safely handled, provided that the toxins they produce are not ingested or allowed to come in contact with [[mucous membrane]]s or breaks in the skin. 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]]. <ref>[http://www.metrokc.gov/HEALTH/prevcont/salmonellosis-reptiles.htm Salmonellosis - Reptiles and Amphibians] Accessed [[2007-11-28]]</ref><ref>[http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5249a3.htm CDC MMWR: Reptile-Associated Salmonellosis: Selected States, 1998-2002]Accessed [[2007-11-28]]</ref>. It is, however, illegal to handle or disturb Great Crested Newts in the [[UK]] without a licence.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/479.shtml bbc.co.uk Factfile 479] Accessed [[2007-11-28]]</ref> A 29-year-old man in [[Coos Bay]], [[Oregon]], who had been drinking heavily, swallowed a rough-skin newt ''Taricha granulosa'' for a dare. He died later that day despite hospital treatment.<ref name="caudata"/> Folklore held that pigs in [[England]] could eat newts with impunity, while their French porcine cousins would die a horrible death from the same ingestion.<ref name="caudata"/>. Some [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native American]]s of the Pacific Northwest used Taricha newts to poison their enemies.<ref name="caudata"/> == Conservation status == Newt populations have fallen across the world, due to pollution or destruction of their breeding sites and terrestrial habitats, and countries such as the [[USA]] and the [[UK]] have taken steps to halt their decline.<ref>[http://fresc.usgs.gov/research/StudyDetail.asp?Study_ID=239 USGS Amphibian Research Monitoring Initiative (Pacific Northwest Region)] Accessed [[2007-11-30]] </ref><ref>[http://www.ukbap.org.uk/UKPlans.aspx?ID=619 UK Biodiversity Action Plan] Accessed [[2007-11-30]]</ref> 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 Newt]]s without a licence and it is also illegal to cause them harm or death, or to disturb their habitat in any way. The [[IUCN Red List]] categorises the species as ‘lower risk’ <ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/479.shtml bbc.co.uk Factfile 479] Accessed [[2007-11-28]]</ref><ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/478.shtml bbc.co.uk Factfile 478] Accessed [[2007-11-28]]</ref> 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.<ref>[http://www.arkive.org/species/ARK/amphibians/Triturus_vulgaris/more_info.html arkive.org] Accessed [[2007-11-30]]</ref> ==References== {{reflist}} == External links == * [http://www.caudata.nl Caudata.nl - The Dutch Newt & Salamander Site] * [http://www.schwanzlurche.de Caudatamedia] * [http://www.caudata.org/cc Caudata Culture] * [http://www.herpnet.net/Iowa-Herpetology/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=33&Itemid=27 Eastern Newt - Notophthalmus viridescens] Species account from the Iowa Reptile and Amphibian Field Guide [[Category:Newts|*]] [[Category:Animals kept as pets]] [[bg:Тритон]] [[cy:Madfall ddŵr]] [[de:Molch (Biologie)]] [[es:Salamandra]] [[fr:Triton (amphibien)]] [[it:Tritone (anfibi)]] [[ja:イモリ]] [[pl:Płazy ogoniaste]] [[pt:Tritão (anfíbio)]] [[ru:Тритоны]] [[simple:newt]]