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Image File history File links Taricha_torosa. ...
Scientific classification or biological classification is how biologists group and categorize extinct and living species of organisms. ...
Phyla Subkingdom Parazoa Porifera (sponges) Subkingdom Agnotozoa Placozoa Orthonectida Rhombozoa Subkingdom Metazoa Radiata Cnidaria Ctenophora - Comb jellies Bilateria Protostomia Acoelomorpha Platyhelminthes - Flatworms Nemertina - Ribbon worms Gastrotricha Gnathostomulida - Jawed worms Micrognathozoa Rotifera - Rotifers Acanthocephala Priapulida Kinorhyncha Loricifera Entoprocta Nematoda - Roundworms Nematomorpha - Horsehair worms Cycliophora Mollusca - Mollusks Sipuncula - Peanut worms Annelida - Segmented...
Typical Classes Subphylum Urochordata - Tunicates Ascidiacea Thaliacea Larvacea Subphylum Cephalochordata - Lancelets Subphylum Myxini - Hagfishes Subphylum Vertebrata - Vertebrates Petromyzontida - Lampreys Placodermi (extinct) Chondrichthyes - Cartilaginous fishes Acanthodii (extinct) Actinopterygii - Ray-finned fishes Actinistia - Coelacanths Dipnoi - Lungfishes Amphibia - Amphibians Reptilia - Reptiles Aves - Birds Mammalia - Mammals Chordates (phylum Chordata) include the vertebrates, together with...
For other uses, see Amphibian (disambiguation). ...
Families Salamander is the common name applied to approximately 350 amphibian vertebrates with slender bodies, short legs, and long tails (order Caudata or Urodela). ...
Genera Chioglossa Cynops Echinotriton Euproctus Mertensiella Neurergus Notophthalmus Pachytriton Paramesotriton Pleurodeles Salamandra Salamandrina Taricha Triturus Tylototriton The family Salamandridae consists of true salamanders and newts. ...
Species Taricha granulosa Taricha rivularis Taricha torosa The genus Taricha consists of three species and four subspecies of Western Newts (sometimes refered to as Pacific Newts). ...
In biology, binomial nomenclature is the formal method of naming species. ...
Subspecies
Species torosa is divided into two subspecies: - Sierra newt (Taricha torosa sierrae)
- Costal Range newt (Taricha torosa torosa).
The difference between these two seems to be only in the location in which the newt is found.
Location and Habitat California newts exist primarily on the California Coastline and in the Sierra Nevada (US) mountains. This is because they prefer less humid climates than the rough skinned newts. During the non-breeding season the newts are land dwelling, preferring rock crevices and logs. While breeding, the subspecies torosa torosa prefers slow moving pools in coastal streams. The Sierra Nevada is a mountain range that is almost entirely in eastern California. ...
Diet Earthworms, snails, slugs, sowbugs, bloodworms, and invertebrates are among the California newt's prey. In the Sierras, the newt will also consume trout eggs.
Breeding Reproduction occurs generally between December and early May. Typically the adult newts will return to the pool in which they hatched. After a mating dance, the male mounts the female and rubs his chin on her nose. He then attaches a spermatophore to the substrate, which she will retrieve into her cloaca.
The egg mass released by the female contains between 7 and 30 eggs, and is roughly the consistency of a thick gelatin dessert. Typically the egg masses are attached to stream plant roots or to rocky crevices in small, slow moving pools. While shallow in a wide sense, these pools are rather deep relative to the average depth of a Southern California stream, varying in depth from about 1 to 2 meters.
Adult newts will stay in the pools throughout the breeding season, and can be occasionally found well into the summer. Larvae hatch sometime in early to mid summer, depending on local water temperature. Larvae are difficult to find in streams as they blend in well with the sandy bottom, which they usually stay close to.
Toxicity and Predation Like other Taricha members, the glands in the skin of the torosa secrete the potent neurotoxin tetrodotoxin. This is the same toxin found in pufferfish and harlequin frogs. Researchers believe that bacteria synthesize tetrodotoxin and the animals that employ the neurotoxin acquire it through consumption of these bacteria. Tetrodotoxin (anhydrotetrodotoxin 4-epitetrodotoxin, tetrodonic acid, TTX) is a potent neurotoxin, which blocks action potentials in nerves by binding to the pores of voltage-gated sodium channels in nerve cell membranes. ...
Due to their toxicity, the California newt has few natural predators. Garter snakes are the most common, and some species have developed a genetic resistance to tetrodotoxin.
Species of Concern The California Newt is currently a California Special Concern species (DFG-CSC). Some populations have been greatly reduced in Southern California coastal streams by to the introduction of non-native, invasive species. The mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) and red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) have caused the greatest reduction in newt populations.
Introduced as fish bait and stock pond prey, red swamp crayfish are an incredibly aggressive, prolific, and stalwart species that will prey upon newt larvae and egg masses. The crayfish will also disrupt newt breeding via competition for space during the summer mating season and physically antagonizing adults. Crayfish will typically maul the adult newts with their claws, and subsequent infection can lead to death. California Newts present in streams with introduced crayfish often sport tails with several notches removed.
See Also This article is about the animal called newt. ...
Suborders Cryptobranchoidea Salamandroidea Sirenoidea Salamander is the common name applied to approximately 500 reptilian vertebrates with slender bodies, short legs, and long tails (order Caudata or Urodela). ...
Species Taricha granulosa Taricha rivularis Taricha torosa The genus Taricha consists of three species and four subspecies of Western Newts (sometimes refered to as Pacific Newts). ...
// Subspecies Species Granulosa is divided into two subspecies: Rough-Skinned newt (Taricha granulosa granulosa) Crater Lake Rough-Skinned newt (Taricha granulosa mazamae) A newt with pebbly, non-slimy skin, that is light brown to black on top and yellow to orange on its belly, is most likely a basic Rough...
Location Red bellied newts are found in costal woodlands, especially the redwood forests, such as those found in the Redwood National Park in California. ...
Genera Chioglossa Cynops Echinotriton Euproctus Mertensiella Neurergus Notophthalmus Pachytriton Paramesotriton Pleurodeles Salamandra Salamandrina Taricha Triturus Tylototriton The family Salamandridae consists of true salamanders and newts. ...
External links - California Newt facts - Wild Animals Online encyclopedia
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