EASTERN NEWT Maggie Panetta

Classification Common Name: Eastern Newt or Red-Spotted Newt Scientific Name: notophthalimus viridescens Kingdom Name: Animalia Phylum Name: Chordata Class Name: Amphibia Order: Caudate Family: Salamandridae

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS

Eastern Newt Characteristics Chordata: defined as organisms that possess a structure called a notochord, at least during some part of their development. Chordata: defined as organisms that possess a structure called a notochord, at least during some part of their development. Amphibians evolved from lobe-finned fish. Amphibians evolved from lobe-finned fish. Amphibians are tied to the water Amphibians are tied to the water Amphibians have small inefficient lungs and most species also use their skin for respiration. Because the skin is used in gas exchange, it must remain moist, so amphibians can not venture far into very dry habitats. Amphibians have small inefficient lungs and most species also use their skin for respiration. Because the skin is used in gas exchange, it must remain moist, so amphibians can not venture far into very dry habitats. Symmetry: Bilateral Symmetry: Bilateral Body Cavity: Coelomate Body Cavity: Coelomate Type of Organism Type of Organism Free living Free living Carnivore Carnivore Semi-Aquatic Semi-Aquatic Segmentation: does show head, thorax, abdomen. Segmentation: does show head, thorax, abdomen.

Life Cycle/Reprodu ction Specifics: A newt is a small to medium sized salamander. The newt has two rows of reddish colored spots with black circles down its back. 3 stages of life: larva, eft, and adult. Larva: they are small and develop in the water. They start out with faint spots and gills and large tail fins. As these newts grow they lose their gills and their fins dissapear. Eft: during this stage the newt is highly viiable to animals. After several years they will reach maturity and return to the water to breed with other adults. They are brightly colored red efts. Adult: the newt is usually dull brown and have flattened tail from swimming. During breeding season the tail fin in a male will get very broad to show mating status. Average Life Span: Average Life Span: years Offspring: jelly covered eggs from late winter to early spring Offspring: jelly covered eggs from late winter to early spring Reproduces sexually Reproduces sexually Adults are usually 6-11cm, efts are 3.8-9cm Adults are usually 6-11cm, efts are 3.8-9cm

Habitat Description Where does the eastern newt live? Woodland ponds or meadows with dense aquatic vegetation for adult newts, temporary ponds of shallows of larger lakes and streams. What is its niche typically like? Adults feed on many different small aquatic, insect larvae, and mollusks. Many times they will consume the eggs or larvae of other amphibians. Fact: cannibalism of their own larvae has been reported to occur.

Special Characteristics Interesting Physical Characteristics All of the life stages of the newt have a toxic skin secretion that will protect them from their preditors of many types. This poison is produced in very toxic and noxious secretions. All of the life stages of the newt have a toxic skin secretion that will protect them from their preditors of many types. This poison is produced in very toxic and noxious secretions. (High concentration of tetradotoxin, a neurotoxin and strong emetic) The eastern newt’s coloration plays a role in warning potential enemies of their toxicity The eastern newt’s coloration plays a role in warning potential enemies of their toxicity Interesting Behavior When attacked by a predator (birds and mammals) the newt will flex it’s mid-trunk so that the head and tail are raised and curled toward one another over the back. This position is call the Unken Reflex; it exposes the bright coloring. this position is exhibited in several other semi-aquatic species. When attacked by a predator (birds and mammals) the newt will flex it’s mid-trunk so that the head and tail are raised and curled toward one another over the back. This position is call the Unken Reflex; it exposes the bright coloring. this position is exhibited in several other semi-aquatic species.Conservation Overall the species is unthreatened. Depends of the preservation of aquatic and surrounding habitats. The key to keeping the newts safe is the preservation of its habitat. Let us not let the newts go on the endangered species list. Overall the species is unthreatened. Depends of the preservation of aquatic and surrounding habitats. The key to keeping the newts safe is the preservation of its habitat. Let us not let the newts go on the endangered species list.

Fun Facts! The Red-Spotted Newt (Eastern Newt) is the state animal of New Hampshire Eastern newts make great pets, and are usually housed in an aquarium. (see right) To see a very friendly, peaceful newt see the below video: atch?v=Kdj4fYEgVJY atch?v=Kdj4fYEgVJY

To do your own research check out these sites! (works cited) eekes/ecology/eastern_newt.ht m eekes/ecology/eastern_newt.ht m eekes/ecology/eastern_newt.ht m eekes/ecology/eastern_newt.ht m m/amphibians/newts_salaman ders/eastern_newt.html m/amphibians/newts_salaman ders/eastern_newt.html m/amphibians/newts_salaman ders/eastern_newt.html m/amphibians/newts_salaman ders/eastern_newt.html r/0,1607, _12145_ ,00.html r/0,1607, _12145_ ,00.html r/0,1607, _12145_ ,00.html r/0,1607, _12145_ ,00.html pecies/Notophthalmus/N_viri descens.shtml pecies/Notophthalmus/N_viri descens.shtml pecies/Notophthalmus/N_viri descens.shtml pecies/Notophthalmus/N_viri descens.shtml ets/amphibians/newts/red_sp otted_newt/default.htm ets/amphibians/newts/red_sp otted_newt/default.htm ets/amphibians/newts/red_sp otted_newt/default.htm ets/amphibians/newts/red_sp otted_newt/default.htm

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