Neurergus

Neurergus is a genus of salamander, more specifically newt, in the Salamandridae family. They are found in the Middle East (predominately in Turkey and Iran), and are bred in captivity for their bright colors. In nature they inhabit streams and small rivers, and the surrounding forest or shrublands. All of the Neurergus are considered threatened species, primarily due to destruction of habitat.^[1]

Morphology

Generally Neurergus are dark colored (brown to black) above, with a pattern of white to yellow to orange spots and lines. On their ventral side the lighter color of their spots becomes a solid color. Like most salamanders they have five toes on their hind feet.

Species

Recent studies have demonstrated that the genus Neurergus is monophyletic.^[2] It contains the following species:

• Neurergus crocatus (Cope, 1862)
• Neurergus kaiseri (Schmidt, 1952)
• Neurergus microspilotus (Nesterov, 1916)
• Neurergus strauchii (Steindachner, 1887)

Notes

1. ^ 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, accessed 19 January 2009
2. ^ Steinfartz, S.; Hwang, U. W.; Tautz, D.; Öz, M. and Veith, M. (2002) "Molecular Phylogeny of the Salamandrid Genus Neurergus: Evidence for an Intrageneric Switch of Reproductive Biology" Amphibia-Reptilia 23: pp. 419-431, doi:10.1163/15685380260462338

External links

• "Neurergus Cope, 1862" Salamanders of the Old World,
• "Neurergus (Cope, 1862)" Living Under World.Org, A Web Project about Amphibians
• "Neurergus kaiseri" photographs of Neurergus kaiseri