Captivity poll

I´m not sure they are that well protected though Mark...
I remember talking with someone from my class....a biology student...that thought they were aquatic lizards(see my signature hehe) and they were harmful, so he caught them and burnt them.
And i know that happens in a lot of places, plus procambarus clarkii is invading all it´s habitats, and affecting the populations.
Anyway, sorry for the speech.
I think i would add Cynops orientalis...They may not be the greenest, specially because most of them are wild caught, and prone to be ill. But they are the easiest species to find (at least in spain), and once they survive the terrible conditions in the shop, they are hardy, easy to keep, and easy to breed (though metamorphs may be a problem).
Again i know they are not the greenest, but just because they are the most readily available species and that they are not high maintenance, i would consider them.

heh yeah okay, maybe they have an "inner beauty" but no real instant wow factor where colour is concerned, although their size and ease of breeding would make them my second.

Mark, I think the discussion of "green" is in the sense that your seeking out one of these species will have minimal effect on the wild population. I think axolotls being captive bred by the truckloads makes them strong in this category. Forgive me if I misunderstand your post.

One thing I haven't seen discussed is the geographic aspect. Are there large enough CB populations on this side of the pond to recommend the european species here?

yes certainly for crested newts & pleurodeles

I have modified the list.

Top captive caudates (environmentally friendly due to availability from the captive breeding process, "relatively" low maintenance, very visible, and hardy)
CB crested Triturus
http://www.caudata.org/cc/species/Triturus/Triturus_sp.shtml
CB Salamandra
http://www.caudata.org/cc/species/Salamandra/Salamandra_sp.shtml
CB Pleurodeles waltl
http://www.caudata.org/cc/species/Pleurodeles/P_waltl.shtml
CB Triturus marmoratus
http://www.caudata.org/cc/species/Triturus/T_marmoratus.shtml

Second place captive caudates (Envirnomentally near threatened but abundant due to captive breeding), "relatively" low maintenance, very visible, and hardy)

CB Axolotls
http://www.caudata.org/cc/species/Ambystoma/A_mexicanum.shtml
CB Cynops Ensicauda
http://www.caudata.org/cc/species/Cynops/C_ensicauda.shtml

If anyone can point to research that would put P. waltl in the second category please do. Also there may be more to add to the second category such as Neurergus strauchii. What do you think?

Anyone have an opinion on mesotriton?

mesotriton is a level 1/2 species depending on where you live. If you can keep them cool enough then they are just are rewarding as other triturus complex, however the coolness is the main issue with this species.

I'm interested in also hearing more what Jennifer, David, and Michael have to say about this list since they are the biggest breeders/donors to this site and have the most experience with captives. If I missed someone though I do apologize IN ADVANCE Paris. What do you think guys? Any advice on this list? Are you interested in sharing something like this and making it more available for newcomers? Is it a concern?