Open AccessPersistence of a population of palmate newts Lissotriton helveticus in a saline environment on the west coast of Scotland
Author(s) -
Callum J. Ullman-Smith
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
herpetological bulletin
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.303
H-Index - 12
eISSN - 2634-1387
pISSN - 1473-0928
DOI - 10.33256/hb156.15
Subject(s) - salamandridae , population , salinity , persistence (discontinuity) , mating , assortative mating , range (aeronautics) , zoology , ecology , biology , geology , geotechnical engineering , demography , caudata , materials science , sociology , composite material
A six year survey of a palmate newt (Lissotriton helveticus) population in rock pools on the west coast of Scotland indicates that this species has some tolerance of saline conditions. The newts were living with a mean salinity (conductivity) of 382 ppm (range 30.7 ppm to >4995 ppm). Other interesting observations include a variation in mating behaviour, in whichnormal open water behaviour is confined to crevices, and the occurrence of ‘pelvic bumps’ in some individuals that may indicate reduced body condition.