Back What's new
By:
Filters
Caudata.org: Newts and Salamanders Portal

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
Did you know that registered users see fewer ads? Register today!

Crested newt - neoteny question

Jennewt

Jennewt

Administrator
Staff member
Joined
May 27, 2005
Messages
12,451
Reaction score
146
Location
USA
I have a batch of T. karelini that have finished morphing 3-4 weeks ago. However, there is one that is still a larva and shows no signs of morphing. It is just as big as the others, but still has full-sized gills and the full broad tail-fin of a larva. Is this one just a late bloomer, or are there known to be neotenics among populations of this species?
 
J

john

Guest
Larvae don't necessarily metamorphose at the same age and size - there is a lot of variation in most genera. Apart from the obvious variations in genetics, there is also the possible environmental influence, the general thinking of which is that if food is abundant in the water, what's the rush to metamorphose?

As far as I'm aware, neoteny can occur in most Triturus species, though I think it's less common in the large bodied Triturus species.

I bet your remaining larva will transform in a few weeks time.
 
N

nimbus2

Guest
I raised 70 Triturus boscai larvae last year, and all but 13 of them metamorphosed within a few weeks of each other. The 13 remaining (who were identical in age and size to the others) did not begin to metamorphose until 6-7 months later. So as John mentions, I bet yours will morph in time.
 
Jennewt

Jennewt

Administrator
Staff member
Joined
May 27, 2005
Messages
12,451
Reaction score
146
Location
USA
Yep, you two were right. It's morphing, about 6 weeks later than the others.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
General chit-chat
Help Users
  • No one is chatting at the moment.
  • Shane douglas:
    with axolotls would I basically have to keep buying and buying new axolotls to prevent inbred breeding which costs a lot of money??
     +1
    Unlike
  • Thorninmyside:
    Not necessarily but if you’re wanting to continue to grow your breeding capacity then yes. Breeding axolotls isn’t a cheap hobby nor is it a get rich quick scheme. It costs a lot of money and time and deditcation
     +1
    Unlike
  • stanleyc:
    @Thorninmyside, I Lauren chen
     +1
    Unlike
  • Clareclare:
    Would Chinese fire belly newts be more or less inclined towards an aquatic eft set up versus Japanese . I'm raising them and have abandoned the terrarium at about 5 months old and switched to the aquatic setups you describe. I'm wondering if I could do this as soon as they morph?
     +1
    Unlike
    Clareclare: Would Chinese fire belly newts be more or less inclined towards an aquatic eft set up versus... +1
    Top