Triturus pygmaeus (Wolterstorff, 1905)

Species Overview

The southern marbled newt, Triturus pygmaeus, is similar in appearance to the marbled newt but smaller in size.

Size

Adult southern marbled newts reach a total length of 13 centimetres (5.1 in), while adult marbled newts reach 17 centimetres (6.7 in).

Dorsal Coloration

Its dorsal surface is yellowish-green, heavily mottled with irregular dark brown or black patches.

Dorsal Stripe

A thin orange line runs along its spine from the head to the tip of the tail, though this stripe fades somewhat in adult males.

Ventral Coloration

Its underparts are creamy-white with dark spots.

Species Identification Marking

This underpart pattern distinguishes the southern marbled newt from the marbled newt, which has dark underparts.

Breeding Male Crest

Breeding males of the southern marbled newt have a wavy crest marked with black bars that runs from the head to the tip of the tail, with no indentation between the body and tail.

Habitat Climate

This species is found only in southern Portugal and southwestern Spain, where it occurs in a Mediterranean climate.

Range Boundary

The Douro–Tagus watershed forms the narrow northern border of the species' range, adjacent to the range of Triturus marmoratus.