Wolterstorff newt

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Wolterstorff newt
Image of the Wolterstorff newt

Image of the Wolterstorff newt

Systematics
Order : Tail amphibian (caudata)
Superfamily : Salamander relatives (Salamandroidea)
Family : Real salamanders (Salamandridae)
Subfamily : Pleurodelinae
Genre : Fire-bellied Newts ( Cynops )
Type : Wolterstorff newt
Scientific name
Cynops wolterstorffi
( Boulenger , 1905)

The Yunnan Lake Newt ( Cynops wolterstorffi , Syn. : Hypselotriton wolterstorffi ) is applicable as extinct salamander from southern China. He belonged to the genus of the fire-bellied newts ( Cynops ) and lived strongly water-bound. The newt was at times the only species of the genus Hypselotriton and was named after the German herpetologist Willy Wolterstorff .

Appearance

The newch, named after the German herpetologist Willy Wolterstorff , was relatively large and sturdy and stood out with protruding eyes. The females were up to 16 cm long, the males reached a size of up to 12 cm. The tail was roughly the same length as the trunk and head in common. On the upper side and on the sides, the Wolterstorff newt was olive-black to black-brown, whereby orange-red spots could exist on the flanks that formed longitudinal rows. The underside of the body was orange-red with black spots.

In the middle of the back was a raised back keel. An orange-red line ran over this, which also encompassed about two thirds of the tail. At the time of mating, the male had a blue color on the tail.

Compared to the Japanese fire -bellied newt, the skin of the Wolterstorff newt was smoother, but rougher than that of the Chinese fire -bellied newt . There were similarities with the species Cynops cyanurus .

distribution

The Wolterstorff newt was only observed in Lake Dian and its immediate vicinity in the Chinese province of Yunnan . In this mountain lake at an altitude of 1800 m, where the city of Kunming is also located, it was often sighted in the past. Especially in spring it was found in shallower areas of the lake, but also in nearby irrigation ditches and ponds.

Danger

The only habitat of the Wolterstorff newt was severely affected by the industrialization of the nearby city of Kunming. In addition, the introduction of predators (fish) that did not previously exist at this location could have impaired the population. While a great number of newts were still observed in the 1950s, no more specimens could be found during an excursion in 1979. For the year 1984, the last time a fisherman sighted an animal was reported. Since the species was not kept in captivity, it must now be assumed that it will be extinct.

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