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The Laos Warty Newt, Paramesotriton laoensis Stuart & Papenfuss (2002)

Taxonomy

Paramesotriton laoensis is morphologically distinct from other Paramesotriton species in a number of characters besides its coloring, such as distribution of warts, glands on the skin, and in having an undifferentiated tongue pad (similar to that of Pachytriton) (Stuart & Papenfuss 2002). The decision to place this species in the genus Paramesotriton was made because of its morphology and vertebral number (12). Due to its distinct evolutionary position in comparison with Paramesotriton and Pachytriton this species will likely be placed in its own, new genus in the future (Weisrock et al. 2006).

Appearance

This species is definitely the most striking species within the genus. The deep black skin is covered with a dorso- and two dorso-lateral yellow stripes. These stripes can be broken into several spots. Some yellow spots can be present on the sides of the body and the tail. The underside consists of large orange blotches.

P. laoensis is one of the larger species within the genus, and easily grows over 200 mm. The upper jaw is overhanging the bottom one, making foraging in fast-flowing water easier.

Distribution and habitat

Currently, only this species is only known from two localities; Phoukhout District (Xiang Khouang Province) and Saysamboun Special Zone in Laos, making the species endemic. Habitat descriptions are known from two streams. The first is barely surrounded by forest, but covered by grasses and scrub. Taller scrub, grasses, and banana trees lined both streams, and very little of either stream was shaded by canopy. The second stream was mostly flat with only a slight gradient, 1–2 m wide, with a substrate of silt, gravel, rocks, and submerged rock faces. The newts mainly live in larger pools within the stream (Stuart & Papenfuss 2002).

Conservational status and status in captivity

Sadly, large numbers of P. laoensis have been exported from Asia to Japan and Germany in recent years. Next to the dangers of exporting many individuals of a likely small-distributed species, this also apparently happened without the approval of the
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in Vientiane, which never issued an export permit for live P. laoensis. This makes all individuals in captivity at this moment illegal. (B. Stuart comm.). Although the species is stated “Data Deficient” by IUCN at the moment, this status will likely change in “Endangered” or “Critically Endangered” in the near future.

Most individuals have however survived in captivity, and breeding results have been reported in Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany and Austria, with different degrees of success. Larvae of P. laoensis are differently coloured from other species of the genus (completely black), and seem extremely sensitive to fungal infections (P. Bachhausen comm.). When metamorphosed, juveniles show variation in amount and degree of yellow coloration, which grows brighter in the following months. Raising the juveniles seems easier than reported for other Paramesotriton species.

Due to the recent import of P. laoensis, it is best to collect data of the species in a studbook to improve knowledge about the species, and breed them to discourage importing wild-caught individuals again. The studbook of P. laoensis can be found at http://www.ag-urodela.de/molchregister_laoensis_deloustali/laoensis_deloustali.htm

Look here for photos of this species.

Stuart, B. & T. J. Papenfuss (2002): A New Salamander of the Genus Paramesotriton

(Caudata: Salamandridae) from Laos. Journal of Herpetology 36(2): 145–148.

Weisrock, D. W., T. J. Papenfuss, J. R. Macey, S. N. Litvinchuk, R. Polymeni, I. H. Ugurtas, E. Zhao, H. Jowkar & A. Larson (2006): A molecular assessment of phylogenetic relationships and lineage accumulation rates within the family Salamandridae (Amphibia, Caudata). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 41: 368–383.