Facultative paedomorphosis in a population of Lissotriton vulgaris (Amphibia: Salamandridae) from the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (Romania)

Authors : Florina STANESCU, Elena BUHACIUC, Paul SZÉKELY, Diana SZÉKELY, Dan COGALNICEANU

Pages : 114-117

Doi:10.3906/tar-1206-56

View : 22 | Download : 8

Publication Date : 0000-00-00

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Facultative paedomorphosis refers to the simultaneous expression of 2 different phenotypes insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(i.e. paedomorphic and metamorphic); within the same population. Over the last 6 decades, this phenomenon was reported from only 5 populations of smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Linnaeus, 1758); in Romania. In the spring of 2011, we found a new facultative paedomorphic population. The sample was female-biased, thus suggesting a sex-dependent expression of the paedomorphic phenotype. Most of the populations recorded in Romania were found in permanent water bodies with abundant vegetation.
Keywords : Key words Phenotype, larval traits, newts, sex ratio, trade off, wetland