(Tylototriton verrucosus)
Familie: Salamanders and Newts (Salamandridae)
Orden: Tailed Amphibians (Caudata)
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Himalayan Crocodile Newt
(Tylototriton verrucosus) Familie: Salamanders and Newts (Salamandridae) Orden: Tailed Amphibians (Caudata) |
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Other names: Himalayan Salamander, Red Knobby Newt, Himalayan Crocodile Salamander, Burmese Newt. Size: 14-16 cm, max. 19,7 cm. Distribution: Discontinuous through Southeast Asia (China (Yunnan), India (Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Sikkim, West Bengal), Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam, presumably also Laos og Bhutan). In the southern part of its range, it is a highland species, reported from 1000-3000 m asl. In the northern part of its range it has been reported below 1000 m asl. Habitat: Mainly terrestrial in moist forest, generally near water. Aquatic habitats include permanent pools and forest streams. Breeding occurs in the shallow areas. Larval stage is known to be relatively short. During dry summer periods animals may go into aestivation. Reproduction: The eggs are relatively large: 6-10 mm. The hatchlings measure about 11 mm, and at metamorphosis about 50 mm. Status: Uncommon through most of its range, although reported locally common in Myanmar. Considered a rare species with a decreasing polpulation. It is protected by legislation in Nepal, India, China and Thailand. Its range overlaps at least five protected areas in Thailand, one in China, one in India, and one in Nepal. It has been bred in captivity. Listed as Least Concern (IUCN Red List Categories) because of its wide distribution, tolerance of a broad range of habitats, presumed large population, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category. Notes: Considered a bad omen and thus killed in Myanmar in certain areas. It is used as bait for fishing in Myanmar and is in demand in the domestic and international pet trade. It is also harvested for use as a traditional medicine in India. References: Anders, C.C.; Schleich, H.H.; Shah, K.B. 1998. Studies on Tylototriton verrucosus (Amphibia: Caudata). pp. 1-26. Contributions to the Herpetology of South Asia. Fuhlroff Museum. Chanda, S.K. 2002. Handbook - Indian Amphibians. Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata. 335 pp. Das, I. 1984. Occurrence of the Indian salamander (Tylototriton verrucosus) in Shillong. Hamadryad 9: 11. Dasgupta, R. 1990. Distribution and conservation problems of the Himalayan newt (Tylototriton verrucosus) in the Darjeeling Himalayas. Hamadryad 15: 13-15. Dasgupta, R.; Dasgupta, B. 1990. On the conservation of the Himalayan salamander Tylototriton verrucosus. pp. 283-285. In: Manna, G.K. & al. Impacts of Env. on Animals & Aquaculture. Dutta, S.K. 1997. Amphibians of India and Sri Lanka. Odyssey Publishing House, Bhubaneswar. Gyi, K.M. 1969. Occurrence of Tylototriton verrucosus .... at Taunggyi, Burma. Union Burma Journal Life Sciences 2: 23-26. Humphrey, S.R.; Bain, J.R. 1990. Endangered Animals of Thailand. Sandhill Crane Press. Florida. IUCN, Conservation International, and NatureServe. 2004. Global Amphibian Assessment. (set 25 maj 2007). www.globalamphibians.org Kuzmin, S.L., Dasgupta, R.; Smirina, E.M. 1994. Ecology of the Himalayan newt (Tylototriton verrucosus) in Darjeeling Himalayas, India. Russian Journal of Herpetology 1(1): 69-76. Nussbaum, R.A.; Brodie, E.D.; Datong, Y. 1995. A taxonomic review of Tylototriton verrucosus Anderson (Amphibia: Caudata: Salamandridae). Herpetologica 51(3): 257-268. Roy, D.; Mushahudinabbil, M. 2000. Crocodile salamanders of the eastern Himalayas. ZOO's Print Journal. 15: 29-31. Shrestha, T.K. 1984. On the distribution and habitat of the Himalayan newt (Tylototriton verrucosus) in the Eastern Nepal. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 81: 485-487. Singh, K.S. 1995. On a collection of reptiles and amphibians of Manipur. Geobios News Report 14: 135-145. Thorn, R.; Raffaelli, J. 2001. Les salamandres de l'ancien monde. Boubée, Paris. 449 pp. Wongratana, T. 1984. Range extension of Tylototriton verrucosus to Phu Luang, Thailand. Natural History Bulletin of the Siam Society 32: 107-110. Zhao, E.M. 1998. China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals - Amphibia. Science Press. Beijing. Text & layout: Rune Midtgaard |
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