Identification of Newts (Urodeles) in the UK Three native species one sp. highly protected Two introduced species well-established.

Identification of Newts(Urodeles) in the UK

• Three native species

one sp. highly protected

• Two introduced species

well-established

Native Newts

• Smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris• Palmate newt Lissotriton helveticus• Great crested newt Triturus cristatus• …also eggs and larvae

Alien Newts

• Alpine newt Mesotriton alpestris• Italian crested newt Triturus carniflex• Other aliens only rare escapes

Report aliens at www.alienencounters.org.uk

Smaller Newts (MALES): Smooth Newt

Smaller Newts (MALES): Palmate Newt

Male does not develop crest – but rather a low ridge running along the back

Tail filament

Wide black webbing on hind feet

Smaller Newts (MALES): Palmate Newt

Male smooth newts in peak condition can develop skin

flaps around hind toes –never as wide as a

palmate’s

<Male palmate

Smaller Newts (MALES): comparing feet

Palmate

Smooth

Smaller Newts (FEMALES): comparing

Can look very similar!

Smooth Smooth Palmate

Smaller Newts (FEMALES): comparing

Underside of foot of female palmate newt

Two pale tubercles/nodules

Male

Female

Great Crested Newt: adultsLarger than smooth newt (up to 16 cm)Male has break in crest at tail base and silver/white stripe

Great Crested Newt

Female Great Crested Newt

Adult Newt Identification Description Triturus

cristatusLissotriton vulgaris

Lissotriton

helveticus

Size (snout to tail)

LARGEST!

Up to 16cm

Up to 10cm Up to 9cm (often smaller)

Colouring of dorsal side

Almost black, granular appearance

Brown Brown

Crest on male Jagged crest along the back, this dips at the rear of the abdomen with a second crest along the tail

Continuous wavy crest along body and tail

Very low continuous crest

Description Triturus cristatus Lissotriton vulgaris

Lissotriton

helveticus

Belly colour Orange/yellow belly with irregular pattern of black dots

Orange belly,

roundish black spots

Yellowish, sometimes has a few black spots

Throat Speckling on throat Speckled, whitish throat

Plain pink or yellow

Feet Toes have yellow rings (striped appearance)

In the breeding season, fringes of skin develop on the toes of the hind feet in males.

Webbed hind feet almost black

(like black gloves)

Most immature newts remain in terrestrial habitat but some great crested newts enter the water before reaching adult size

Great Crested Newt: immatures

Terrestrial Newts

Terrestrial Newts

Newt Eggs

Egg-laying occurs from March-May (and beyond)

Newt Eggs

Unwrap to identify

Great crested newt

Smooth/palmate newt

Egg Identification

Feature T. cristatus L. vulgaris L. helveticus

Colour Yellowish white

Brownish grey/off grey

Size Length

c. 4.5 mm

Smaller than GCN

c. 3mm

Egg Shape Oval Rounder than GCN

NB: Newly laid eggs (inside the jelly), will be round for all the species.

Newt Eggs: developing

Newt eggs are harder to identify when larvae developing

Newt Larvae

During the early developmental stages, newt larvae can be difficult to differentiate

Newly-hatched great crested newt larva

Newt Larvae

Great crested newt

Smooth newt

Larvae Identification

Characteristic T. cristatus L .vulgaris & L . helveticus

Gills Often curving forwards & outwards

Straight to slightly incurved

Tail ‘fins’ White border

Numerous black blotches

No white border

Sometimes fine black speckling

Tail Tapers, filament at the tip

Tapers, no filament

Larvae Identification

Characteristic T. cristatus L .vulgaris & L . helveticus

Fingers Long, thin fingers No obvious long fingers

Eye Golden Iris

Alien Newts: the Alpine Newt

Female

Male

Photographs

• Photographs used in this presentation are by Ben Driver, Chris Gleed-Owen, Fred Holmes, Phyl King, John Robinson, Will Watson and John Wilkinson

• Copyright of all photographs remains with the photographers and ARC.

• These photographs should not be used for purposes other than NARRS training without the permission of the photographers.