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{{Short description|Endangered amphibian}}
{{More citations needed|date=February 2021}}
{{Speciesbox
{{Speciesbox
| image = Cynops ensicauda popei001.jpg
| image = Cynops ensicauda popei001.jpg
| image_caption = ''C. e. popei''
| image_caption = ''C. e. popei''
| status = EN
| status = VU
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 20 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group |date=2021 |title=''Cynops ensicauda'' |volume=2021 |page=e.T59441A177225544 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T59441A177225544.en |access-date=20 November 2021}}</ref>
| status_ref =
| taxon = Cynops ensicauda
| genus = Cynops
| species = ensicauda
| authority = ([[Edward Hallowell (herpetologist)|Hallowell]], 1860)
| authority = ([[Edward Hallowell (herpetologist)|Hallowell]], 1861)
| synonyms = {{hidden begin|title = List}}
| synonyms = {{hidden begin|title = List}}
*''Triturus'' (''Cynops'') ''pyrrhogaster ensicaudus'' <small>(Nakamura and Ueno, 1963)</small>
*''Triton ensicauda'' <small>Hallowell, 1861 "1860"</small>
*''Triturus ensicauda'' <small>(Sato, 1943)</small>
*''Triturus'' (''Cynops'') ''pyrrhogaster ensicaudus'' <small>– Nakamura and Ueno, 1963</small>
*''Triturus ensicaudus ensicaudus'' <small>([[Robert F. Inger|Inger]], 1947)</small>
*''Triturus ensicauda'' <small>– Sato, 1943</small>
*''Triturus ensicaudus popei'' <small>(Inger, 1947)</small>
*''Triturus ensicaudus ensicaudus'' <small>– [[Robert F. Inger|Inger]], 1947</small>
*''Triturus ensicaudus'' <small>(Dunn, 1918)</small>
*''Triturus ensicaudus popei'' <small>Inger, 1947</small>
*''Triturus pyrrhogaster ensicaudus'' <small>(Kawamura, 1950)</small>
*''Triturus ensicaudus'' <small>– Dunn, 1918</small>
*''Triturus pyrrhogaster ensicaudus'' <small>– Kawamura, 1950</small>
{{hidden end}}
{{hidden end}}
| synonyms_ref = <ref name=Frost/>
| synonyms_ref = <ref name=AMNH>{{cite web|title=Cynops ensicauda|url=http://research.amnh.org/vz/herpetology/amphibia/?action=names&geo=0&taxon=triturus|work=Amphibian Species of the World 5.5|publisher=American Museum of Natural History|accessdate=8 September 2012}}</ref>
}}
}}


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.<ref name=Frost/>
⚫
The '''sword-tail newt''' (''Cynops ensicauda'') is an [[Endangered species|endangered]] species of [[true salamander]] from the [[Ryukyu Archipelago]] in Japan. It has recently been placed on Japan's Red List of Threatened Amphibians. Sometimes, sword-tail newts are called fire-bellied newts, not to be confused with the common [[Chinese fire belly newt|Chinese]] and [[Chinese fire belly newt|Japanese]] species, because of their bright orange bellies, which serve as a warning to predators that they are poisonous. They can be differentiated from these two species by their large size, broader heads and (against Japanese fire-bellies) smoother skin. This newt ranges from brown to black above, occasionally with an orange dorsal stripe. Some individuals may have light spotting or speckling on their backs.


⚫
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 fire belly newt|Chinese]] and [[Chinese fire belly newt|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 {{convert|12.8|cm|in|abbr=on}} in males and {{convert|18|cm|in|abbr=on}} in females.<ref name="caudata">[http://www.caudata.org/cc/species/Cynops/C_ensicauda.shtml Caudata Culture Species Entry - Cynops ensicauda<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> They are the largest living members of their genus.<ref name="caudata"/> Females and males look significantly different in appearance. Females have much longer tails that are actually longer than the rest of their bodies. Males’ tails are much shorter and sometimes display a whitish sheen during breeding season.

⚫
Sword-tailed newts can reach {{convert|12.8|cm|in|abbr=on}} in males and {{convert|18|cm|in|abbr=on}} in females.<ref name="caudata">[http://www.caudata.org/cc/species/Cynops/C_ensicauda.shtml Caudata Culture Species Entry - Cynops ensicauda<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> They are the largest living members of their genus.<ref name="caudata"/> 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==
==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 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.
This newt's habitat is slow, cool, stagnant bodies of water. They are commonly found in man-made structures such as rice paddies, road-side ditches, and cattle waterholes.<ref name="caudata"/>
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.<ref name="caudata"/>
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 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 predators, so deforestation and land development are the main reasons for their endangerment.
The sword-tailed newt has no natural predators,{{citation needed|date=February 2021}} thus deforestation and land development are the main causes of their endangerment.


Breeding places are being frequented by only a fourth of the population that was breeding 14 years ago. This lack of breeding is another key reason for them becoming endangered. Many of their breeding places are in roadside ditches and gutters, which can lead to them being run over. Sword-tail newts are extremely territorial, thus making moving their breeding places difficult.
As of 2010, breeding grounds were visited by 75% less newts than in 1996.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}} 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==
==Trends and threats==
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 (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).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://amphibiaweb.org/cgi/amphib_query?where-genus=Cynops&where-species=ensicauda|title=AmphibiaWeb - Cynops ensicauda|website=amphibiaweb.org|access-date=2017-03-03}}</ref>
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 (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).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://amphibiaweb.org/cgi/amphib_query?where-genus=Cynops&where-species=ensicauda|title=AmphibiaWeb - Cynops ensicauda|website=amphibiaweb.org|access-date=2017-03-03}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist|30em|refs=
<ref name=Frost>{{cite web |url=https://amphibiansoftheworld.amnh.org/Amphibia/Caudata/Salamandridae/Pleurodelinae/Cynops/Cynops-ensicauda |title=''Cynops ensicauda'' (Hallowell, 1861) |author=Frost, Darrel R. |year=2022 |work=Amphibian Species of the World: An Online Reference. Version 6.1 |publisher=American Museum of Natural History |doi=10.5531/db.vz.0001 |access-date=16 December 2022}}</ref>
* {{IUCN2006|assessor=Kaneko|assessor2=Matsui|last-assessor-amp=yes|year=2004|id=59441|title=Cynops ensicauda|downloaded=11 May 2006}} Database entry includes a range map and justification for why this species is labeled endangered
}}


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.redlist.org/search/details.php?species=59441 IUCN Red List listing]
*[http://www.caudata.org/cc/species/Cynops/C_ensicauda.shtml Caudata Culture caresheet and photos of Swordtail Newt]
*[http://www.caudata.org/cc/species/Cynops/C_ensicauda.shtml Caudata Culture caresheet and photos of Swordtail Newt]


{{Taxonbar|from=Q393887}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q393887}}


[[Category:Newts]]
[[Category:Cynops]]
[[Category:Amphibians of Japan]]
[[Category:Endemic amphibians of Japan]]
[[Category:Endemic fauna of Japan]]
[[Category:Endemic fauna of the Ryukyu Islands]]
[[Category:Amphibians described in 1860]]
[[Category:Amphibians described in 1861]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Edward Hallowell (herpetologist)]]

Latest revision as of 16:47, 3 July 2023

Sword-tail newt
C. e. popei
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Urodela
Family: Salamandridae
Genus: Cynops
Species:
C. ensicauda
Binomial name
Cynops ensicauda
(Hallowell, 1861)
Synonyms[2]
List
  • Triton ensicauda Hallowell, 1861 "1860"
  • Triturus (Cynops) pyrrhogaster ensicaudus – Nakamura and Ueno, 1963
  • Triturus ensicauda – Sato, 1943
  • Triturus ensicaudus ensicaudus – Inger, 1947
  • Triturus ensicaudus popei Inger, 1947
  • Triturus ensicaudus – Dunn, 1918
  • Triturus pyrrhogaster ensicaudus – Kawamura, 1950

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

[edit]

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,[citation needed] 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.[citation needed] Many of their breeding sites are in roadside ditches and gutters, and they are highly territorial, making it difficult to relocate them.

[edit]

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

[edit]
  1. ^ IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2021). "Cynops ensicauda". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T59441A177225544. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T59441A177225544.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b Frost, Darrel R. (2022). "Cynops ensicauda (Hallowell, 1861)". Amphibian Species of the World: An Online Reference. Version 6.1. American Museum of Natural History. doi:10.5531/db.vz.0001. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  3. ^ a b c Caudata Culture Species Entry - Cynops ensicauda
  4. ^ "AmphibiaWeb - Cynops ensicauda". amphibiaweb.org. Retrieved 2017-03-03.
[edit]
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