Description:

Spanish ribbed newts are relatively large newts, reaching up to 30 cm (12 in) in the wild. Typical captive specimens reach 15 - 20 cm (6 - 8 in). These newts have a flattened appearance, with a large flat head with eyes that look slightly upward. Their flat shape is an adaptation that enables them to slip under rocks to hide. They typically have a plump abdominal region, especially the females. Their tail is about the same length as their body is, snout to vent, and it is laterally compressed. They also have very granular skin, which is good at conserving water.

Spanish ribbed newts range in color from dark to light gray and are covered with darker blotches with a brown tint. Their bellies are typically lighter than their backs, usually a cream color, with the same blotched pattern. Each newt has a row of tubercles running down each flank. These are where their sharp ribs can puncture through, acting as a defense mechanism. This apparently causes little harm to the newt. Ejection of the ribs rarely occurs in captive animals.

Habitat shared by P. waltl and Triturus marmoratus in central Spain.

Natural Range and Habitat:

Spanish ribbed newts are found throughout the Iberian Peninsula and Morocco. These regions are very arid and known for periodic droughts. Ribbed newts are almost entirely aquatic and prefer little or no current. They inhabit any standing water they can find, including ponds, lagoons, damns, and irrigation systems. If their water dries up, they will hide under rocks or in crevices, anywhere they can stay moist.

Housing:

The most suitable housing for ribbed newts is an aquarium, heavily planted, with a small floating land mass. Water level should be at 15 - 20 cm (6 - 8 in) outside of breeding season. It can be raised to higher water levels when breeding is desired. Gravel, if used, should be a size that will not be swallowed with food.

Temperatures are best kept below 21°C (72°F), as some animals become stressed at high temperatures (see information below about the effect of elevated temperature on eggs and larvae). This species encounters temperatures around freezing in the wild, so adults are able to tolerate cold.

Feeding:

These newts are opportunistic eaters. They will eat a variety of invertebrates and small fish and carrion in the wild. In captivity they can be fed shrimp pellets, chopped earth worms, newt pellets, turtle pellets, and also slugs and insects. Feeder fish are not recommended as a regular diet, as feeder fish have a tendency to carry disease.

P. waltl in amplexus. Male is below.

P. waltl larva.

Breeding:

Captive breeding is easy to achieve in this species. In fact, this species is widely bred for laboratory research, including microgravity experiments on eggs and larvae in space. In the wild, they breed biannually, once in spring and once in the heat of summer. Breeding is brought about by rising water levels, light intensity, increasing day lengths, and increasing temperature. Many captive animals only need their tank flooded to convince them to breed.

During courtship, the male is adorned with black nuptial pads on his arms. He will grasp the female from underneath with his arms around hers. He then alternates between holding her with one or both arms. Eventually he releases a spermatophore and drags her over to receive it. The female will later lay between 100 and 1000 eggs, depending on her size and age.

Eggs and larvae should be reared at temperatures as close as possible to 20°C (71°F). Female larvae reared at high temperatures (30°C / 86°F) undergo sex reversal, and develop as males. Elevated temperature during the larval period is also associated with skeletal abnormalities. Eggs raised at cold temperatures (8°C / 45°F) undergo cold stress responses, so very low temperatures should probably also be avoided.

P. waltl eggs.

P. waltl eggs.

Related Species:

Pleurodeles nebulosus
Pleurodeles poireti

References:

Angelier, N, Moreau, NA, N'Da, EA, Lautredou, NF. (1989) Cold-induced changes in amphibian oocytes. Experimental Cell Research 183: 508-513.

Dournon, C, Houillon, C, Pieau, C. (1990) Temperature sex-reversal in amphibians and reptiles. International Journal of Developmental Biology 34: 81-92.

Dournon, C, Bautz, A, Membre, H, Lauthier, M, Collenot, A. (1998) Expression of hindlimb abnormalities under rearing temperature effects during the larval development of the salamander Pleurodeles waltl. Development, Growth and Differentiation 40: 555-565.

Griffiths, RA. (1996) Newts and Salamanders of Europe. T&AD Poyser Natural History.

Gualandris-Parisot L, Husson D, Foulquier F, Kan P, Davet J, Aimar C, Dournon C, Duprat AM. (2001) Pleurodeles waltl, amphibian, Urodele, is a suitable biological model for embryological and physiological space experiments on a vertebrate. Advances in Space Research 28:569-578.

Indiviglio, F. (1997) Newts and Salamanders. Barrons: Hauppauge, NY.

©2000 Heather Björnebo. Revised by Jennifer Macke, February 2002.