Neurergus
Neurergus is a genus of salamanders, more specifically newts, in the family Salamandridae. They are found in the Middle East (predominantly in Turkey and Iran), and are kept and bred in captivity for their bright colors. In nature, they inhabit streams and small rivers, and the surrounding forests or shrublands. All of the Neurergus are considered threatened species, primarily due to destruction of habitat and overcollection for the pet trade.[1]
| Neurergus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Neurergus kaiseri | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Urodela |
| Family: | Salamandridae |
| Subfamily: | Pleurodelinae |
| Genus: | Neurergus Cope, 1862 |
Morphology
Generally, Neurergus species are dark-colored (brown to black) above, with a pattern of white to yellow to orange spots and lines. On their ventral sides, the lighter color of their spots becomes a solid color. Like most salamanders, they have five toes on their hind feet.
Species
Studies have demonstrated the genus Neurergus is monophyletic.[2] It contains these species:[3]
| Image | Scientific Name | Common name(s) | Conservation status | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neurergus barani Öz, 1994 | -none- | VU (IUCN) | Turkey | |
| Neurergus crocatus Cope, 1862 | Azerbaijan newt
Lake Urmia newt[4] Yellow spotted newt |
VU (IUCN) | Iran, Iraq, and Turkey. | |
 | Neurergus derjugini (Nesterov, 1916) | Kurdistan newt | CR (IUCN) | Iran, possibly Iraq, and possibly Turkey. |
 | Neurergus kaiseri Schmidt, 1952 | Luristan newt
Kaiser's mountain newt |
VU (IUCN) | Southern Zagros Mountains in Iran |
| Neurergus strauchii (Steindachner, 1887) | Strauch's spotted newt
Anatolia newt |
VU (IUCN) | Turkey | |
References
- 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, accessed 19 January 2009
- Steinfartz, S.; Hwang, U. W.; Tautz, D.; Öz, M. and Veith, M. (2002) "Molecular Phylogeny of the Salamandrid Genus Neurergus: Evidence for an Intrageneric Switch of Reproductive Biology" Amphibia-Reptilia 23: pp. 419-431, doi:10.1163/15685380260462338
- Frost, Darrel R. (2019). "Neurergus". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
- "Lake Urmia newt". Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. Retrieved 2022-11-07.
External links
- "Neurergus Cope, 1862" Salamanders of the Old World,
- "Neurergus (Cope, 1862)" Living Under World.Org, A Web Project about Amphibians
- "Neurergus kaiseri" photographs of Neurergus kaiseri