Zoogeography of Triturus vulgaris (L.) and T. cristatus (Laurenti) (Amphibia) in Norway, with notes on their vulnerability

The distribution of Triturus vulgaris (L.) in Norway is separated into a southeastern distribution area, extending westwards along the coast, and a central Norwegian area in the Trøndelag region. T. cristatus (Laurenti) has three separate distribution areas: a southeastern, a southwestern, and a ce...

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Main Author: Dag Dolmen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Norwegian University of Science and Technology 1982-12-01
Series:Fauna Norvegica
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Online Access:https://www.ntnu.no/ojs/index.php/fauna_norvegica/article/view/6139
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author Dag Dolmen
author_facet Dag Dolmen
author_sort Dag Dolmen
collection DOAJ
description The distribution of Triturus vulgaris (L.) in Norway is separated into a southeastern distribution area, extending westwards along the coast, and a central Norwegian area in the Trøndelag region. T. cristatus (Laurenti) has three separate distribution areas: a southeastern, a southwestern, and a central Norwegian area. It is thought that T. cristatus reached southwestern Norway through mountain passes from southeastern Norway. Possibly T. vulgaris also reached this region, but it did not tolerate the change to a colder and more humid, atlantic climate. The many fjords and the high mountains in southwestern Norway may today be an important dispersal barrier for the species. Hydrochore dispersal by rafts seems to be fairly common. Both newts reached central Norway from Jämtland, Sweden, probably also from southeastern Norway. The later climate deteriorations have reduced the maximum distribution area of the species, as has also human activity. Summer, and possibly also winter temperature, precipitation, length of activity season, day length and the amount of direct sun radiation all cooperate in the limitation of the newts' distribution and abundance. With respect to growth in the larvae, long day conditions in central Norway are thought to compensate for the higher average temperatures further south. In Norway the newts may disperse locally, but T. cristatus is threatened, and locally even in danger of extinction, especially in central and southwestern Norway, by forestry practices and introduction of fish to newt localities. The better dispersal abilities of T. vulgaris vs. T. cristatus can be explained by the wider ecological amplitude, less nocturnal habits and more terrestrial way of life of T. vulgaris.
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1891-5396
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spelling doaj-art-a326d25a9afd4575a44214cc93d742c62024-11-21T09:10:14ZengNorwegian University of Science and TechnologyFauna Norvegica1502-48731891-53961982-12-013Zoogeography of Triturus vulgaris (L.) and T. cristatus (Laurenti) (Amphibia) in Norway, with notes on their vulnerabilityDag Dolmen0Department of Zoology, University of Trondheim, NO-7000 Trondheim, Norway The distribution of Triturus vulgaris (L.) in Norway is separated into a southeastern distribution area, extending westwards along the coast, and a central Norwegian area in the Trøndelag region. T. cristatus (Laurenti) has three separate distribution areas: a southeastern, a southwestern, and a central Norwegian area. It is thought that T. cristatus reached southwestern Norway through mountain passes from southeastern Norway. Possibly T. vulgaris also reached this region, but it did not tolerate the change to a colder and more humid, atlantic climate. The many fjords and the high mountains in southwestern Norway may today be an important dispersal barrier for the species. Hydrochore dispersal by rafts seems to be fairly common. Both newts reached central Norway from Jämtland, Sweden, probably also from southeastern Norway. The later climate deteriorations have reduced the maximum distribution area of the species, as has also human activity. Summer, and possibly also winter temperature, precipitation, length of activity season, day length and the amount of direct sun radiation all cooperate in the limitation of the newts' distribution and abundance. With respect to growth in the larvae, long day conditions in central Norway are thought to compensate for the higher average temperatures further south. In Norway the newts may disperse locally, but T. cristatus is threatened, and locally even in danger of extinction, especially in central and southwestern Norway, by forestry practices and introduction of fish to newt localities. The better dispersal abilities of T. vulgaris vs. T. cristatus can be explained by the wider ecological amplitude, less nocturnal habits and more terrestrial way of life of T. vulgaris. https://www.ntnu.no/ojs/index.php/fauna_norvegica/article/view/6139AmphibiaCaudataconservation biologydistributionNorway
spellingShingle Dag Dolmen
Zoogeography of Triturus vulgaris (L.) and T. cristatus (Laurenti) (Amphibia) in Norway, with notes on their vulnerability
Fauna Norvegica
Amphibia
Caudata
conservation biology
distribution
Norway
title Zoogeography of Triturus vulgaris (L.) and T. cristatus (Laurenti) (Amphibia) in Norway, with notes on their vulnerability
title_full Zoogeography of Triturus vulgaris (L.) and T. cristatus (Laurenti) (Amphibia) in Norway, with notes on their vulnerability
title_fullStr Zoogeography of Triturus vulgaris (L.) and T. cristatus (Laurenti) (Amphibia) in Norway, with notes on their vulnerability
title_full_unstemmed Zoogeography of Triturus vulgaris (L.) and T. cristatus (Laurenti) (Amphibia) in Norway, with notes on their vulnerability
title_short Zoogeography of Triturus vulgaris (L.) and T. cristatus (Laurenti) (Amphibia) in Norway, with notes on their vulnerability
title_sort zoogeography of triturus vulgaris l and t cristatus laurenti amphibia in norway with notes on their vulnerability
topic Amphibia
Caudata
conservation biology
distribution
Norway
url https://www.ntnu.no/ojs/index.php/fauna_norvegica/article/view/6139
work_keys_str_mv AT dagdolmen zoogeographyoftriturusvulgarislandtcristatuslaurentiamphibiainnorwaywithnotesontheirvulnerability