Melanoid Pleurodeles ?

[JM29]

Hello,,

Just read in :
Handbook of Genetics, Vol. 4 : Vertebrates of Genetic Interest, par Robert C., King, 1975, page 15 :

"...a color variation has been found in the F2 of a pair of this species (Pleurodeles waltl) captured in the wild (La Croix and Capuron, 1970). This mutant m ("mélanique") is comparable to the melanoid mutant in the axolotl in having an increased number of melanophores and in lacking iridophores."

Has anyone seen or heard about melanoid Pleurodeles waltl ? (Idon't have any)

 

[JM29]

The absence of answer is an information in itself.
I asked the same question the a french forum Urodeles but with no more success.

 

[elKendo97]

Hi.

If that there melanistic specimens in Andalusia an adult was found.

However, the specimens living without light in water wells or cisterns are often.

 

[JM29]

Thanks for this reply.
Do you mean specimen living in very dark aquatic environments can be very dark without a special genetic background? (why not)

 

[elKendo97]

Yes, color depends largely turbidity and color of water.
Specimens living in pools of irrigation or irrigation ponds are usually quite dark, with many stains.
Specimens living in ponds with clear substrate or white turbidity are clear and spotless

 

[JM29]

Thank you for these observations.
We suspect the same phenomenon with our Tylototriton verrucosus (Darjeeling) captive strain.