California Newt

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iCalifornia Newt
Conservation status
Least Concern (LC)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Amphibia Order: Caudata Family: Salamandridae Genus: Taricha Species: T. torosa
Binomial name
Taricha torosa

Contents 1 Subspecies 2 Toxicity and Predation 3 Species of Concern 4 See also 5 References 6 External links

[edit] Subspecies

Species torosa is divided into two subspecies:

• Sierra newt (Taricha torosa sierrae)
• Coastal Range newt (Taricha torosa torosa).

The difference between these two seems to be only in the location in which the newt is found.

[edit] Toxicity and Predation

Like other Taricha members, the glands in the skin of the torosa secrete the potent neurotoxin tetrodotoxin. This is the same toxin found in pufferfish and harlequin frogs. Researchers believe that bacteria synthesize tetrodotoxin and the animals that employ the neurotoxin acquire it through consumption of these bacteria.

Due to their toxicity, the California newt has few natural predators. Garter snakes are the most common, and some species have developed a genetic resistance to tetrodotoxin.

[edit] Species of Concern

The California Newt is currently a California Special Concern species (DFG-CSC). Some populations have been greatly reduced in Southern California coastal streams due to the introduction of non-native, invasive species. The mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) and red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) have caused the greatest reduction in newt populations.

Introduced as fish bait and stock pond prey, red swamp crayfish are an incredibly aggressive, prolific, and stalwart species that will prey upon newt larvae and egg masses. The crayfish will also disrupt newt breeding via competition for space during the summer mating season and physically antagonizing adults. Crayfish will typically maul the adult newts with their claws, and subsequent infection can lead to death. California Newts present in streams with introduced crayfish often sport tails with several notches removed.

[edit] See also

• Newt
• Salamander
• The genus Taricha
• Rough-Skinned Newt
• Red Bellied Newt
• Salamandridae

[edit] References

• Hammerson (2004). Taricha torosa. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database entry includes a range map and justification for why this species is of least concern

[edit] External links

• Caudata Culture - Guide to identifying and keeping this newt as a pet