Development of the smooth newt, Lissotriton vulgaris, as observed in a garden pond during lockdown

Abstract The ‘smooth newt’, the taxon traditionally referred to as Lissotriton vulgaris, consists of multiple morphologically distinct taxa. Given the uncertainty concerning the validity and rank of these taxa, L. vulgaris sensu lato has often been treated as a single, polytypic species. A recent study, driven by genetic data, proposed to recognize five species, L. graecus, L. kosswigi, L. lantzi, L. schmidtleri and a more restricted L. vulgaris. The Carpathian newt L. montandoni was confirmed to be a closely related sister species. We propose to refer to this collective of six Lissotriton species as the smooth newt or Lissotriton vulgaris species complex. Guided by comprehensive genomic data from throughout the range of the smooth newt species complex we 1) delineate the distribution ranges, 2) provide a distribution database, and 3) produce distribution maps according to the format of the New Atlas of Amphibians and Reptiles of Europe, for the six constituent species. This allows us to 4) highlight regions where more research is needed to determine the position of contact zones.

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New Data for the Vertical Distrbution of the Smooth Newt (Lissotriton Vulgaris) (Amphibia, Salamandridae) in Bulgaria

Biotechnology & Biotechnological Equipment ◽

10.1080/13102818.2009.10818380 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 23 (sup1) ◽

pp. 121-122

Author(s):

N. Tzankov ◽

B. Naumov ◽

A. Grozdanov

Keyword(s):

Smooth Newt ◽

Lissotriton Vulgaris

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UV wavelengths experienced during development affect larval newt visual sensitivity and predation efficiency

Biology Letters ◽

10.1098/rsbl.2015.0954 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 20150954 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Mélissa Martin ◽

Marc Théry ◽

Gwendolen Rodgers ◽

Delphine Goven ◽

Stéphane Sourice ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Developmental Plasticity ◽

Uv Light ◽

Photoreceptor Cells ◽

Visual Sensitivity ◽

Opsin Gene ◽

Testing Environment ◽

Smooth Newt ◽

Lissotriton Vulgaris ◽

Predation Efficiency ◽

Uv Vision

We experimentally investigated the influence of developmental plasticity of ultraviolet (UV) visual sensitivity on predation efficiency of the larval smooth newt, Lissotriton vulgaris . We quantified expression of SWS1 opsin gene (UV-sensitive protein of photoreceptor cells) in the retinas of individuals who had developed in the presence (UV+) or absence (UV−) of UV light (developmental treatments), and tested their predation efficiency under UV+ and UV− light (testing treatments). We found that both SWS1 opsin expression and predation efficiency were significantly reduced in the UV− developmental group. Larvae in the UV− testing environment displayed consistently lower predation efficiency regardless of their developmental treatment. These results prove for the first time, we believe, functional UV vision and developmental plasticity of UV sensitivity in an amphibian at the larval stage. They also demonstrate that UV wavelengths enhance predation efficiency and suggest that the magnitude of the behavioural response depends on retinal properties induced by the developmental lighting environment.

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Habitat suitability assessment of constructed wetlands for the smooth newt ( Lissotriton vulgaris [Linnaeus, 1758]): A comparison with natural wetlands

Ecological Engineering ◽

10.1016/j.ecoleng.2017.06.005 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 106 ◽

pp. 532-540 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

C.J. Mulkeen ◽

S. Gibson-Brabazon ◽

C. Carlin ◽

C.D. Williams ◽

M.G. Healy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Constructed Wetlands ◽

Habitat Suitability ◽

Smooth Newt ◽

Suitability Assessment ◽

Lissotriton Vulgaris ◽

Natural Wetlands ◽

Habitat Suitability Assessment

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New polymorphic microsatellite loci for the Greek smooth newt,Lissotriton vulgaris graecus, and their utility in the nominotypical subspecies

Molecular Ecology Resources ◽

10.1111/j.1755-0998.2008.02245.x ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 292-295 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

K. SOTIROPOULOS ◽

K. ELEFTHERAKOS ◽

D. TSAPARIS ◽

P. KASAPIDIS ◽

A. MAGOULAS ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Microsatellite Loci ◽

Smooth Newt ◽

Lissotriton Vulgaris ◽

Polymorphic Microsatellite

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Smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris and common toad Bufo bufo populations persisting in the unusually small area of Sommers Island in the Baltic Sea

Herpetological Bulletin ◽

10.33256/hb156.610 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 6-10

Author(s):

Igor Popov

Keyword(s):

Baltic Sea ◽

Small Area ◽

Bufo Bufo ◽

Common Toad ◽

The Baltic Sea ◽

Smooth Newt ◽

Lissotriton Vulgaris ◽

The Baltic ◽

Toad Bufo ◽

Toad Bufo Bufo

Sommers Island is an abandoned 20 ha patch of land in the Baltic Sea. It is inhabited by isolated populations of smooth newt (Lissotriton vulgaris) and common toad (Bufo bufo). The island demonstrates the small area in which it is possible to have a stable population of newts and toads for a period of at least several decades, probably much longer. Most reproduction of both species occurred in one pool with an area of about 100 m². The total area of optimal terrestrial habitat is about 2.5 ha, with an additional 3.5 ha of sub-optimal habitat available. The island is inhabited by about 123 adult newts and several dozen adult toads.

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