Added 16 August 2002. Last updated 25 March 2006: extensively updated the page to incorporate current classification.

Newts and Salamanders of Europe

Genus Ommatotriton: Banded Newts

Introduction

Mention the word "newt" to any European, and the chances are that he or she will instantly think of one of the species belonging to Triturus or the related genera. These small but significant animals have a huge range, from Ireland to Iran and as far north as Scandinavia.

For a long time most of the species listed here were considered to belong to one genus, Triturus, but later research led to the decision to split several of the species into three new genera: Ichthyosaura, Lissotriton and Ommatotriton. In addition, two species formerly placed in the genus Euproctus were subsequently found to be more closely related to Triturus, and were placed in a new genus, Calotriton, listed here.

Triturus and relatives are characterised by their semiaquatic lifecycle, which for most species involves returning to the water after waking from hibernation in order to breed. This usually involves a certain amount of bodily change, mainly among the males who usually develop brighter colours and a crest on the tail and possibly on the back as well. In addition, fringes or webbing may appear on the hind toes, which may become extended instead. Both sexes may also develop a dorsolateral glandular swelling and their tails may become more "paddle-like" (Indiviglio) to assist in swimming. Courtship is fairly elaborate, and egg-laying may take some time. Later in the year most newts become terrestrial, losing their mating insignia in the process. However, some high-altitude or deep water populations may spend most or even all of the year in the water.

All of these species are protected to a lesser or greater degree by law, but it is possible to legally purchase individuals from European breeders (check your national law first, however). Triturus and related newts have been kept and bred successfully in captivity, but Indiviglio notes that they are very sensitive to water quality, so optimum care is very important.

	QUICK INDEX
	Ommatotriton
Ommatotriton nesterovi, Anatolian Banded Newt	Ommatotriton ophryticus, Northern Banded Newt	Ommatotriton vittatus, Southern Banded Newt

Scientific Name	Common Name	Distribution	Size	Notes
Ommatotriton
O. nesterovi	Anatolian Banded Newt
O. ophryticus	Northern Banded Newt
O. vittatus	Southern Banded Newt	Caspian, Asia Minor, Syria	4-5"	Colourful species with the males having light blue and dark blue side stripes from front to rear legs. This newt inhabits high mountain areas (1,000-1,600, sometimes up to 2,800, m.) and lives next to streams with rocky bottoms. In the summer they shelter beneath stones or rotting tree trunks if their stream dries up. Description: fronto-squamosal arch bony. Palatine teeth in two series, in contact in their anterior third, diverging posteriorly, commencing on a line with the choanae. Tongue small, subcircular, sides and posterior margin free. Head a little longer than broad, its length contained about thrice and a half in the length of the body; the greatest width of head at angles of mouth ; snout rounded; labial lobes well developed during the breeding-season. Body rounded; breeding male with an elevated, slightly toothed dorsal crest abruptly sinking on pelvic region; a slight vertebral ridge in the female. Limbs moderate; fingers and toes moderate, latter webbed at the base in the breeding male; tarsal tubercles two, sometimes indistinct. Tail a little longer than head and body, ending in a point, strongly compressed during the breeding-season, and with an upper and lower crest. Skin smooth or minutely tuberculate; head and parotoid region with distinct pores; no gular fold. Grey or brown above, closely black-spotted; dorsal crest with vertical black bars, alternately broader and narrower; side of body and tail with a white, black-edged band; throat black-dotted; belly immaculate. [SOURCE: Boulenger]