First observation of facultative paedomorphosis in the Danube crested newt (Triturus dobrogicus Kiritzescu, 1903) and the occurrence of facultative paedomorphosis in two newt species from soda pans of the Danube-Tisza Interfluve (Kiskunság National Park, Hungary)

Mester, Béla and Cozma, Nastasia Julianna and Puky, Miklós (2013) First observation of facultative paedomorphosis in the Danube crested newt (Triturus dobrogicus Kiritzescu, 1903) and the occurrence of facultative paedomorphosis in two newt species from soda pans of the Danube-Tisza Interfluve (Kiskunság National Park, Hungary). NORTH-WESTERN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY, 9 (2). pp. 443-445. ISSN 1843-5629

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Abstract

The first observation of paedomorphosis in Triturus dobrogicus and the occurrence of facultative paedomorphosis in two newt species (T.dobrogicus and Lissotriton vulgaris) from soda pans of the Danube- Tisza Interfluve, Hungary are reported in this paper. Facultative paedomorphosis in soda pans occurred in 2010, a year with extremely high precipitation. The favorable environmental conditions created enabled newt populations to extend their aquatic life stage in otherwise unsuitable (too saline), though fish-free habitats. As such, soda pans may provide a suitable aquatic environment for local newt populations in rainy years, and facultative paedomorphosis may be an important adaptation allowing early reproduction in the following year possible in an environment that frequently dries out.

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