Notophthalmus meridionalis
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Black-spotted Newt | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservation status | ||||||||||||||||
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
| Binomial name | ||||||||||||||||
| Notophthalmus meridionalis Cope, 1880 |
||||||||||||||||
| Synonyms | ||||||||||||||||
|
Diemictylus meridionalis |
The Black-spotted Newt (Notophthalmus meridionalis), or Texas Newt, is a species of aquatic newt native predominantly to Mexico: the states of Tamaulipas, Veracruz, San Luis Potosí and barely extending into northeastern Hidalgo and Puebla. It also ranges as far north as the United States, into the southern tip of Texas, along the Gulf of Mexico.
Contents |
[edit] Description
The black-spotted newt can be anywhere between to 2 7/8-4 1/4" (7.1-11 cm), and is typically an olive green in color, with numerous black spots. The underside is often yellow in color, and which can sometimes extend up to the sides. They have smooth skin, and a paddle-shaped vertically flattened tail. They live in quiet stretches of stream that are submerged in vegetation; permanent and temporary ponds and ditches.
[edit] Behavior
Black-spotted newts prefer shallow water habitats, heavy with vegetation. They are carnivorous, consuming a wide variety of prey, including insects, aquatic invertebrates, leeches, and other amphibians. They have a toxic skin secretion which is used to deter predators. Breeding occurs year round. The young do not go through an eft stage and when drought strikes are forced on to land.
[edit] Conservation status
The black-spotted newt is listed as a threatened species in the state of Texas. It lives on the coastal plain of southern Texas south into Mexico.
[edit] References
- Flores-Villela et al (2004). Notophthalmus meridionalis. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes a range map and justification for why this species is endangered
- Amphibian Species of the World: Notophthalmus meridionalis
- Herps of Texas: Notophthalmus meridionalis
- Ellen Trout Zoo: Black-spotted Newt
- National Audubon Society Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians
