Description
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Cynops ensicauda has a snout-to-vent length of 53-77 mm and a total length of 103-179 mm. Its dorsal surfaces are generally black or very dark brown and its ventral surface is orangish red. The soles of its feet are the same color as its belly. Some individuals may have stripes or splotches of the ventral color on the back or head. Many individuals, especially those living in sunny locations, have lichenlike blotches here and there on the back and tail. The significance of these blotches is controversial, as they can disappear if the animal is kept in captivity under conditions of low light (Goris and Maeda 2004). C. ensicauda is similar in appearance to C. pyrrhogaster but C. ensicauda is somewhat larger and has a longer, more slender tail. C. ensicauda can also be distinguished by the light color on the soles of its feet (Goris and Maeda 2004).
Distribution and Habitat
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Cynops ensicauda occurs on most of the islands of the Amami and Okinawa Archipelagos, but is not found further south. This species is partially terrestrial, living inconspicuously under leaf litter in both lowland and mountainous forests. However, adults frequently enter the water, especially in search of food (Goris and Maeda 2004).
Life History, Abundance, Activity, and Special Behaviors
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Cynops ensicauda has a fairly long breeding season. Depending on rainfall, the season may start as early as October-November and continue until June of the following year, with a peak in January-March. When a rain shower starts, the animals migrate to a suitable body of water, which may be a large pond, a rice paddy, a slow stream, a swamp, or a large ephemeral puddle, but is always in or close to a forest. Males arrive first, then the females. Courtship and spermatophore retrieval is essentially similar to that seen in C. pyrrhogaster but with a lower success rate. There are always many more males than females, all vying for a mate and constantly interrupting the nuptial dance so that the rate of successful spermatophore retrieval is very low: it has been estimated at 2%. Eggs are laid singly in folded-over underwater vegetation, as in C. pyrrhogaster. When the breeding aggregation is dense, the females may lay their eggs at the water's edge or even in mosses outside the water. The eggs are frequently eaten by other newts, especially in the water, and by the snake Amphiesma pryeri. After hatching, only a tiny percentage of the larvae survive to metamorphosis. They are preyed upon by dragonfly larvae and by the larvae of the newt Tylototriton andersoni and are cannibalized by other larvae of their own species. Weather also plays a role in the low survival rate of larvae. Most of the breeding sites are ephemeral. If rainfall is insufficient, the ponds, paddies, and puddles dry up, and a whole season's cohort of larvae perishes. Larvae that survive will metamorphose in about 3 months. Little is known of the life of this species after metamorphosis. On land it eats the eggs of the newt T. andersoni, snails, slugs, earthworms, and probably small insects. In the water it eats frog tadpoles, its own larvae and those of T. andersoni, snails, tubifex worms, etc. Adults can secrete a noxious poisonous substance from the skin. At such times, they may assume a coiled defense posture with the eyes tightly shut (Goris and Maeda 2004).
Life History, Abundance, Activity, and Special Behaviors
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The once-teeming populations of C. ensicauda have declined alarmingly in recent years. There has been massive habit destruction, especially of breeding sites, because of land development. Large, voracious fish of the genus Tilapia have been introduced into traditional breeding ponds. Even where supposedly suitable forest habitat has been preserved, the construction of access roads with concrete drainage ditches often proves fatal. The animals wander about to forage on rainy days and tumble into the ditches, where they are baked by the sun when the rain ceases (Goris and Maeda 2004).Chytridiomycosis may be a threat to this species. Wild C. ensicauda were found to have a relatively high prevalence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), with 12 of 24 sampled animals (50%) positive for Bd (Goka et al. 2009). Four Bd haplotypes were found on C. ensicauda (haplotypes A, E, I, and W) (Goka et al. 2009).
Relation to Humans
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Cynops ensicauda has been collected by the tens of thousands for the pet trade. Most of these animals perish because they are sold and treated as aquatic animals, whereas in actuality they are partially terrestrial (Goris and Maeda 2004).
Lifespan, longevity, and ageing
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Maximum longevity: 17.9 years (captivity)
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- de Magalhaes, J. P.
Sword-tail newt
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The sword-tail newt, sword-tailed newt, yellow-bellied newt, or Okinawa newt (Cynops ensicauda) is a species of true salamander from the Ryukyu Archipelago in Japan.[2]
It has recently been placed on Japan's Red List of Threatened Amphibians. Sword-tail newts are poisonous, and may also be referred to as fire-bellied newts due to the orange coloration of their underside. They are not to be confused with the common Chinese and Japanese species. It is distinguished from these two species by their larger size, broader heads and smoother skin. Its coloration ranges from brown to black, occasionally with an orange dorsal stripe. Some individuals may have light spotting or speckling on their backs.
Sword-tailed newts can reach 12.8 cm (5.0 in) in males and 18 cm (7.1 in) in females.[3] They are the largest living members of their genus.[3] They exhibit sexual dimorphism. Females’ tails are longer than the rest of their body; those of males are much shorter, and sometimes display a whitish sheen during breeding season.
Habitat and distribution
The sword-tailed newt is only found on the Ryukyu Archipelago, an island chain off the southern coast of Japan, as well as on many smaller surrounding islands. The newts typically live in cool, stagnant bodies of water. They are commonly found in man-made structures such as rice paddies, road-side ditches, and cattle waterholes.[3] The two known subspecies of sword-tailed newt are C. e. ensicauda and C. e. popei. Due to the subtropical climate of its native habitat, it is more tolerant of high temperatures than other Cynops. The sword-tailed newt has no natural predators, thus deforestation and land development are the main causes of their endangerment.
As of 2010, breeding grounds were visited by 75% less newts than in 1996. Many of their breeding sites are in roadside ditches and gutters, and they are highly territorial, making it difficult to relocate them.
Trends and threats
The populations of C. ensicauda have declined in recent years, especially as a result of habitat destruction due to land development. Large predatory fish of the genus Tilapia have been introduced into traditional breeding ponds. Even in locations where suitable forest habitat has been preserved, the construction of access roads with concrete drainage ditches kills many; the newts wander to forage on rainy days and may fall into the ditches, where they will die when the rain ceases (Goris and Maeda 2004).[4]
References
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Sword-tail newt: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
The sword-tail newt, sword-tailed newt, yellow-bellied newt, or Okinawa newt (Cynops ensicauda) is a species of true salamander from the Ryukyu Archipelago in Japan.
It has recently been placed on Japan's Red List of Threatened Amphibians. Sword-tail newts are poisonous, and may also be referred to as fire-bellied newts due to the orange coloration of their underside. They are not to be confused with the common Chinese and Japanese species. It is distinguished from these two species by their larger size, broader heads and smoother skin. Its coloration ranges from brown to black, occasionally with an orange dorsal stripe. Some individuals may have light spotting or speckling on their backs.
Sword-tailed newts can reach 12.8 cm (5.0 in) in males and 18 cm (7.1 in) in females. They are the largest living members of their genus. They exhibit sexual dimorphism. Females’ tails are longer than the rest of their body; those of males are much shorter, and sometimes display a whitish sheen during breeding season.
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