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Lissotriton vulgaris vs. L. helveticus larvae

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DesCallaghan

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Dear forum,

Does anyone know if the larvae of Lissotriton vulgaris and L. helveticus can be reliably separated on morphological characters? Many thanks.

Best wishes,
Des
 
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Mark

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I don't know of any distinguishing features which separate the two as larvae. Even as metamorphs they are very difficult to separate.
 
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I can´t think of any, they are so closely related....
The only difference i´ve been able to find is that L.vulgaris hatches at a smaller size than L.helveticus, but that´s of little help.
Literature seems to agree that they are essentially indistinguishable.
 
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DesCallaghan

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Thanks for the responses. With regard to metamorphs, does anyone know of any studies that have determined how long after leaving the pond L. vulgaris acquires the characteristic spotty throat? Best wishes, Des
 
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caleb

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One method for distinguishing the metamorphs is by dorsal stripe- in vulgaris, the stripe is usually brightest just behind the head, fading off towards the tail. Palmates usually have a consistent stripe from head to tail.

This was described in:

Roberts, J. M. & Griffiths, R. A., 1992. The dorsal stripe in newt efts: a method for distinguishing Triturus vulgaris and T. helveticus. Amphibia-Reptilia, 13:1, 13-19.

Richard Griffiths also developed a method for distinguishing larvae based on chemical analysis of pieces of tail fin- not much use for the hobbyist, though.
 
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stavroske

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According the book "Amfibieengids van Europa from Andreas and Christel Nollert" there is a way to determinate both species.
It might be difficult, but you should see it based on the distances between noseholes, and distance between eyes and noseholes.


IF:

N= distance between two noseholes
D= distance between noseholes and eyes
A= Diameter of the eye

THEN:

L. vulgaris: N < D = A

L. helveticus: N = D < A
 
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caleb

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Roberts & Griffiths mentioned the eye/nostril distance method in their paper- they described it as 'unreliable'.
 
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