Neurergus crocatus
Species of salamander
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Neurergus crocatus, the yellow-spotted newt,[3] Kurdistan newt, Azerbaijan mountain newt, mountain newt, or Lake Urmia newt, is a species of salamander in the family Salamandridae. It occurs in the mountains west of Lake Urmia, in northwestern Iran, northeastern Iraq, and southeastern Turkey.[1][4][5][a]
| Neurergus crocatus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Urodela |
| Family: | Salamandridae |
| Genus: | Neurergus |
| Species: | N. crocatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Neurergus crocatus | |
Description
Neurergus crocatus grow to about 16–18 cm (6.3–7.1 in) in total length; the tail is longer than the body (i.e., tail length>snout–vent length). The head is flattened and longer than it is wide. The snout is rounded. The body is slender and almost round, without a dorsal ridge. The tail is rounded at the base and laterally compressed towards its tip. The tail has moderately developed dorsal and ventral fins. The limbs are well-developed; the digits are thick and flat. Colouration is dorsally dark brown to black with yellow, rounded but somewhat irregular blotches; these continue on the tail. The ventral surfaces are orange-red in males and yellowish in females.[5] They can live for between 12-15 years in captivity, and usually reach sexual maturity in four years.[6][7]
Habitat and conservation
Neurergus crocatus breed in montane streams at elevations of 1,500–2,000 m (4,900–6,600 ft) above sea level; after the breeding season, adults disperse to the surrounding areas, but their specific microhabitats are unknown. This species is probably threatened by habitat loss, caused by for example new dams.[1]
See also
Notes
- Despite its vernacular names, this species does not occur in the Republic of Azerbaijan. Instead, "Azerbaijan" here refers to the Azerbaijan region of Iran.