Market shift?

[fishkeeper]

Anyone notice that it seems Cynops orientalis are becoming a bit less common? Recently, most petstores I've been to, if they carry newts, inevitably have Pachytriton labiatus, and Paramesitotriton sp. They are larger, probably tougher, and sell like hotcakes(for anywhere from $4-$10).(a lot easier than tiny C. orientalis)

Thoughts? These both seem to be highly K selected species and I doubt can sustain much harvest.

 

[John]

I saw orientalis at a Massachusetts pet shop a few weeks ago.

 

[blueberlin]

Sorry to interrupt with a dumb question but what does "highly K selected species" mean, please?

Thanks,

-Eva

 

[JM29]

I suppose Fishkeeper refers to K and r species :

- K species have rather stable populations, almost saturating the carrying capacity of their environment, with low fecundity, but few natural enemies, Examples : elephants, gorillas...
K species can suffer a lot from additional harvest, due to their low fecundity.

- r species have a high fecundity, but suffer periodic population collapse due to a lot of natural enemies. Fecundity is the main way for them to survive (r is the growing coefficient in a logistic equation). Examples : oysters, cods...

These considerations are relative, since there is no precise value to make a species absolutely K or r.

 

[freves]

I generally only frequent one shop these days however I have also noticed that C. orientalis have been a rare site there as well.

 

[Azhael]

It might be an american thing...
Here, C.orientalis continue to be common. Paramesotriton are rare, though, and only certain shops carry them.

 

[Greatwtehunter]

Even in the US it seems to be regional. The only thing you'll find here is P. labiatus and even then they are only available once a month.

 

[caudatadude28]

My local pet shop has Pachytriton labiatus, Notos, and Cynops orientalis.

 

[Bowl of seeds]

I have aslo noticed C.orientalis is becoming more rare in my local petshops, Like most have said there is only P.labiatus available.

 

[Otterwoman]

I've also noticed this. Hardly see C. orientalis anymore, but I do see P. labiatus. And never warty newts anymore, I saw a couple last year and bought them. Those are the last time I saw them.

 

[ZephAmp]

I haven't seen them for sale at pet stores; the fish stores around here carry them though.

 

[sirus14]

The stores I frequent sell lots of labiatus and no cynops

 

[fishkeeper]

I suppose Fishkeeper refers to K and r species :

- K species have rather stable populations, almost saturating the carrying capacity of their environment, with low fecundity, but few natural enemies, Examples : elephants, gorillas...
K species can suffer a lot from additional harvest, due to their low fecundity.

- r species have a high fecundity, but suffer periodic population collapse due to a lot of natural enemies. Fecundity is the main way for them to survive (r is the growing coefficient in a logistic equation). Examples : oysters, cods...

These considerations are relative, since there is no precise value to make a species absolutely K or r.

Correct. I know it has been pretty much tossed out due to its flaws but I think it is cute and gets the point across. Pachytriton are slow growing, and far from prolific based on the few breeding reports we have. Their high degree of territorialism probably means they live close to the carrying capacity of the streams they live in.

 

[Otterwoman]

I have three co that I've had for about 5 years...they get fat but never lay. Maybe they are three females. I think I'll try to find a male.