Anderson's crocodile newt
| Anderson's crocodile newt | |
|---|---|
| File:Echinotriton andersoni by OpenCage.jpg | |
Scientific classification  |
|
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Urodela |
| Family: | Salamandridae |
| Genus: | Echinotriton |
| Species: |
E. andersoni
|
| Binomial name | |
| Echinotriton andersoni (Boulenger, 1892)
|
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Tylototriton andersoni Boulenger, 1892 |
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Anderson's crocodile newt, Anderson's newt, Ryukyu spiny newt, or Japanese warty newt (Echinotriton andersoni) is a species of salamander in the Salamandridae family found in the Ryukyu Islands of Japan, and, at least formerly, Guanyinshan (=Mount Guanyin) in northern Taiwan, where it is now believed to be extinct.[1][2][3]
Description
Echinotriton andersoni is a stout, flat salamander. Head is broad and triangular in shape. There are 12–15 conspicuous knob-like lateral glands. Colouration is uniformly dark brown or black, only the underside of the tail, cloacal region, and the soles of the feet are yellow-orange. The maximum size is at least 80 mm (3.1 in) in snout–vent length and 169 mm (6.7 in) in total length.[3]
Habitat and conservation
Its natural habitats are broad-leaved evergreen forests, secondary forests, grasslands and swamps. It has also been found in and near sugar cane fields. It breeds in standing water such as ponds and temporary pools;[1] outside breeding season it is difficult to observe as adult salamanders live in leaf litter, in rocky crevices, and under rocks and logs.[3]
Echinotriton andersoni is uncommon, and it is threatened by habitat loss and by collection for illegal pet trade.[1]
See also
- Anderson's salamander (Ambystoma andersoni)
