Post-breeding migrations of newts (Triturus cristatus and T. marmoratus) with contrasting ecological requirements

Jehle, R ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0545-5664 and Arntzen, JW 2000, 'Post-breeding migrations of newts (Triturus cristatus and T. marmoratus) with contrasting ecological requirements' , Journal of Zoology, London, 251 , pp. 297-306.

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Abstract

Two newt species with contrasting ecological requirements (Triturus cristatus and T. marmoratus) were radio-tracked after leaving a shared breeding pond in western France. Movements of 30 individuals were recorded over 491 days. During the ®rst terrestrial night, the newts migrated with high directionality up to 137 m to their refuges. Burrows of small mammals were among the favourite refuges. Movements after the ®rst night were mostly underground and over shorter distances (< 6.8 m). Sixty-four per cent of all tracked newts stayed within 20 m of the pond edge, and migrations were recorded up to 146 m away from the pond. Both species preferred areas with bushes, hedgerows and trees, and avoided pastures and open areas. Migration in the direction of a habitat type characterized by trees and underground shelters was favoured over migrations in other directions. A clear terrestrial niche separation between the two newt species was not observed. The results are discussed in relation to previous ®ndings that T. cristatus supersedes T. marmoratus as a consequence of anthropogenic change to the terrestrial environment, affecting the species differentially.

Item Type:	Article
Themes:	Subjects / Themes > Q Science > QL Zoology Subjects / Themes > Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology Subjects outside of the University Themes
Schools:	Schools > School of Environment and Life Sciences Schools > School of Environment and Life Sciences > Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre
Journal or Publication Title:	Journal of Zoology, London
Publisher:	Blackwell Publishing
Refereed:	Yes
ISSN:	0952-8369
Depositing User:	Users 29196 not found.
Date Deposited:	30 Oct 2009 14:15
Last Modified:	16 Feb 2022 08:46
URI:	https://usir.salford.ac.uk/id/eprint/2402

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