| True Salamanders and Newts | |
|---|---|
| Notophthalmus viridescens from North America | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Caudata |
| Suborder: | Salamandroidea |
| Family: | Salamandridae Goldfuss, 1820 |
| Genera | |
|
Calotriton |
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Salamandridae is a family of salamanders consisting of true salamanders and newts. Currently, 74 species (with more expected) have been identified in the northern hemisphere - Europe, Asia, the northern tip of Africa and North America. Salamandrids are distinguished from other salamanders by the lack of rib or costal grooves along the sides of the body and by their rough skin.
With a few exceptions, salamandrids have patterns of bright and contrasting colours. They have four well-developed limbs, with four toes on the forelimbs, and (in most cases) five toes on the hindlimbs. They vary from 7 centimetres (2.8 in) to 30 centimetres (12 in) in length.[1]
The Alpine salamander and Lanza's fire salamander give birth to live young, without a tadpole stage, but the other species lay their eggs in water. Some newts are neotenic, being able to reproduce before they are fully metamorphosed.[1]
The genera Chioglossa, Lyciasalamandra, Mertensiella and Salamandra are grouped in the subfamily Salamandrinae, the rest in Pleurodelinae.[2] Those with a more thoroughly aquatic lifestyle are referred to as "newts", but this is not a formal taxonomic description.
Family SALAMANDRIDAE
Data related to Salamandridae at Wikispecies Media related to [//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Salamandridae Salamandridae] at Wikimedia Commons
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