- Notophthalmus meridionalis
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Notophthalmus meridionalis Conservation status Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Amphibia Order: Caudata Family: Salamandridae Genus: Notophthalmus Species: N. meridionalis Binomial name Notophthalmus meridionalis
Cope, 1880Subspecies N. m. kallerti (Wolterstorff, 1930)
N. m. meridionalisSynonyms Diemictylus meridionalis
Molge meridionalis
Triturus meridionalis
Triturus kallerti
Notophthalmus kallertiNotophthalmus meridionalis, commonly known as the Black-spotted Newt or Texas Newt, is a species of aquatic newt native to northeastern Mexico and southern Texas in the United States.
Contents
Description
The Black-spotted Newt can be anywhere between to 2 7/8-4 1/4" (7.1-11 cm) in length, 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.
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.
Range
N. meridionalis can be found in the states of Tamaulipas, Veracruz, San Luis Potosí in Mexico, barely extending into northeastern Hidalgo and Puebla. It is also found in southern Texas along the Gulf of Mexico.
Conservation
The Black-spotted Newt is listed as a threatened species in the state of Texas.[2]
References
- ^ Flores-Villela et al. (2004). Notophthalmus meridionalis. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes a range map and justification for why this species is endangered
- ^ "Black-spotted Newt (Notophthalmus meridionalis)". Wildlife Fact Sheets. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/species/bnewt/. Retrieved 2010-04-28.
- 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
Categories:- IUCN Red List endangered species
- Newts
- Animals described in 1880
- Amphibians of Mexico
- Amphibians of the United States
- Fauna of Northeastern Mexico
- Fauna of the Southwestern United States
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