95 days later

[ummi]

the first three terrestris left the water after 95 days.

just before I put them in an oblique basin, that no one is drowning; then into the terrarium at the dinner table with Enchyträen, micro-crickets, woodlice and Drosophilla...Enjoy your meal,

 

[Azhael]

Congratulations on those beautiful youngsters. I just love the larvae of this species, i can´t wait to be able to have my own. I never tire of watching them in the wild, they are just fantastic.

I have a question for you, if you don´t mind. I see this are the red variant, i´m assuming red solling form? I´m very curious about wether this red variant´s coloration is dependent on diet to some or any extent as happens in so many other salamandrids. Do you feed your larvae with carotene rich foods? Have you seen variations in coloration when different diets are provided?
The trait is clearly genetic, but i wonder if diet plays any role.

 

[ummi]

AW: Re: 95 days later

It is southern Germany - 700km from Solling
the yellow and red larvae received the same diet, even if you have give the red larvae feed exclusively carotene-free, it does not affect the color.
There are nuances that some have a bright red and others a darker, regardless of the feed,

 

[Azhael]

Ok, thanx! It was to be expected that S.salamandra can produce its own red pigment, but i was just curious since other salamandrids don´t.

 

[eljorgo]

but i was just curious since other salamandrids don´t.

Other salamandrids dont? What about kweichowensis, cynops, paramesotriton, pachytriton bellies among others? Isnt that red they develop?

 

[Azhael]

And in the case of Cynops, Pachytriton, Paramesotriton and many others, red pigmentation is entirely dependent on DIET. There´s clearly a split between groups that can synthesize their own, and those who can´t. I was just curious to find out a little more about this.

 

[eljorgo]

T. kweichowensis will develop red no matter what and when I used to breed H. orientalis they would have nice reddish bellies and I would offer the larvae mosquito larvae and tiny chopped earthworms. Therefore other salamandrids also do develop natural red coloring as far as stated, being kweichowensis the best example I guess.

 

[Azhael]

Yes, and that´s why i didn´t include T.kweichowensis in my list.
H.orientalis and the others mentioned, plus a few more genera, can´t synthesize their own red pigments. This is very well stablished.