Neurergus kaiseri, the Luristan newt, Kaiser's mountain newt, Kaiser's spotted newt or emperor spotted newt (not to be confused with Tylototriton shanjing), is a species of salamander in the family Salamandridae. It is endemic to the southern Zagros Mountains in Iran where it is known from just four streams. Populations of this newt have been declining and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated it as "vulnerable". A captive breeding programme has been established in several zoos.

Distribution and habitat

The Luristan newt is endemic to the southern Zagros Mountains in Iran.[3] It is primarily found in highland streams surrounded by arid scrubland, but can also be found in ponds and pools. It is known only from four streams in a single catchment area and has a total inhabited area of 8,948 km2 (3,454.8 sq mi).[1] In a recent study it was found that the area of suitable habitat within their study area was 18,159 km2 (7,011.2 sq mi).[4] Water is absent from its habitat for a significant part of the year and it moves out into the surrounding woodland which is predominantly oak and pistachio, during which time this species is known to estivate.

Currently the Luristan newt is found in the Zagros Mountains in Iran, but in recent studies it has been concluded that small portions of southern Iran that include Kermanshah, Ilam, Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari, and Kohgiluye-Boyerahmad are habitats that these species will be distributing themselves in the future due do climate change affecting their current habitats.[4]

Conservation

It is considered vulnerable due to its limited and fragmented range (inhabits an area of less than 10,000 km2), continuing habitat loss, and the illegal capture of salamanders for the wild animal trade. In 2008, the wild population was estimated at less than 1000 individuals.[1] However, a new survey in 2014[5] estimates a population of over 9,000 adults, and range estimate that could provide habitat for more than 40,000 Neurergus kaiseri.

International trade require a permit, as the Luristan newt is listed on CITES Appendix I.[6] It also has a captive breeding program involving several European and North American zoos, such as Sedgwick County Zoo. Iran is planning on starting its own breeding program.[7]

In captivity

The Kaiser's mountain newt has been successfully bred in captivity, with brumation and a controlled diet supporting adaptation.[8] Captive-bred Luristan newts have survived spring and summer after reintroduction under controlled conditions.[9]

References

  1. ^ a b c IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2016). "Neurergus kaiseri". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T59450A49436271. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T59450A49436271.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  3. ^ a b Frost, Darrel R. (2017). "Neurergus kaiseri Schmidt, 1952". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  4. ^ a b Ashrafzadeh, Mohammad Reza; Naghipour, Ali Asghar; Haidarian, Maryam; Kusza, Szilvia; Pilliod, David S. (April 17, 2019). "Effects of climate change on habitat and connectivity for populations of a vulnerable, endemic salamander in Iran". Global Ecology and Conservation. 19: e00637. Bibcode:2019GEcoC..1900637A. doi:10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00637. hdl:2437/299728.
  5. ^ Mobaraki, Asghar; et al. "A conservation reassessment of the Critically Endangered, Lorestan newt Neurergus kaiseri (Schmidt 1952) in Iran" (PDF). Amphibian and Reptile Conservation. 9 (1): 16–25. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-12-07. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
  6. ^ "Neurergus kaiseri". CITES. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  7. ^ "Forgotten Species: the fiery Luristan Newt". Jeremy Hance. Mongabay.com. 2010-02-08. Retrieved 2010-02-14.
  8. ^ Lawlor, Emma (2018-08-31). "Breeding The Kaiser's Mountain Newt". Reptiles Magazine. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  9. ^ Salehi, Tayebe; Akmali, Vahid; Sharifi, Mozafar (2019-08-26). "The soft-release of captive-born Kaiser's Mountain Newt Neurergus kaiseri (Amphibia: Caudata) into a highland stream, western Iran". Journal of Threatened Taxa. 11 (10): 14259–14267. doi:10.11609/jott.4981.11.10.14259-14267. ISSN 0974-7907.
Allikas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neurergus_kaiseri
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