Smooth Newt Lissotriton Vulgaris Research Articles

Limited evidence for genetic differentiation or adaptation in two amphibian species across replicated rural-urban gradients.

Urbanization leads to complex environmental changes and poses multiple challenges to organisms. Amphibians are highly susceptible to the effects of urbanization, with land use conversion, habitat destruction, and degradation ranked as the most significant threats. Consequently, amphibians are declining in urban areas, in both population numbers and abundance, however, the effect of urbanization on population genetic parameters remains unclear. Here, we studied the genomic response to urbanization in two widespread European species, the common toad Bufo bufo (26 localities, 480 individuals), and the smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris (30 localities, 516 individuals) in three geographic regions: southern and northern Poland and southern Norway. We assessed genome-wide SNP variation using RADseq (ca. 42 and 552 thousand SNPs in toads and newts, respectively) and adaptively relevant major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II genes. The results linked most of the genetic differentiation in both marker types to regional (latitudinal) effects, which also correspond to historical biogeography. Further, we did not find any association between genetic differentiation and level of urbanization at local scales for either species. However, urban smooth newts, but not toads, have lower levels of within-population genome-wide diversity, suggesting higher susceptibility to the negative effects of urbanization. A decreasing level of genetic diversity linked to increasing urbanization was also found for MHC II in smooth newts, while the relationship between MHC class I diversity and urbanization differed between geographic regions. We did not find any effects of urbanization on MHC diversity in the toad populations. Although two genetic environment association analyses of genome-wide data, LFMM and BayPass, revealed numerous (219 in B. bufo and 7040 in L. vulgaris) SNPs statistically associated with urbanization, we found a marked lack of repeatability between geographic regions, suggesting a complex and multifaceted response to natural selection elicited by life in the city.

Learning the native pond odor as one of the mechanisms of olfactory orientation in juvenile smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris.

Olfaction is an important mechanism of orientation in amphibians toward the breeding site. It is known that anurans can memorize the odor of the native pond during larval development and prefer this odor prior to the beginning of dispersion. However, such a mechanism in urodeles has not been studied yet. We conducted experiments on recognition of the odor of a native water body in juveniles of the smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris. One group of larvae were reared in pure water (control), the other group in water with morpholine (10-7mol/L). A few days after metamorphosis, the newts were tested under paired-choice conditions in a T-maze. A total of 73 newts from the experimental group and 47 newts from the control group were tested. The results of the experiment show that the newts in the experimental group preferred the morpholine solution, whereas the individuals of the control group made the choice randomly. We conclude that newts can learn the odor of the environment in which they developed and use this memory for orientation in later stages of life.

Smooth newts Lissotriton vulgaris as more than just occasional items in the diet of the Eurasian kingfisher Alcedo atthis

Smooth newts Lissotriton vulgaris as more than just occasional items in the diet of the Eurasian kingfisher Alcedo atthis

Extremely low amphibian roadkill probability on busy bicycle paths

Road mortality can have a significant negative impact on amphibian population survival. Amphibian roadkill and how to avoid it are therefore widely studied, mostly on car roads but limitedly on bicycle paths. We investigated whether amphibian mortality on bicycle paths in Bargerveen, a Dutch Natura 2000 site, was affected by the number of passing cyclists and crossing amphibians. We investigated four transects on a daily basis during most of the amphibian spring migration in 2021. We counted and identified (to species level) all killed amphibians; further, we used cyclist counters and toad fences to assess the number of passing bicycles and crossing amphibians, respectively. We found 11 killed smooth newts Lissotriton vulgaris, out of 5,037 that crossed the bicycle paths. Although 11,453 anurans crossed, we found no killed anurans. The occurrence of killed smooth newts was not affected by the number of passing bicycles or crossing newts. The probability of being killed was extremely low for crossing smooth newts (0.22 %) and anurans (0 %), possibly because cyclists successfully avoid cycling over amphibians. Future monitoring should occur from early February to late November to include the complete active period of amphibians including juvenile dispersal, and across multiple successive years because amphibian numbers can vary largely between years. During our study period, however, amphibian mortality on bicycle paths in Bargerveen seems no threat to populations, despite the high numbers of cyclists. Keywords: road ecology, animal-cyclist collisions, smooth newts, anurans, conservation

02. Great crested newt Triturus cristatus, smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris, and other amphibians in an acidified area of southern Norway surveyed using eDNA and other methods

Abstract - Acid rain for many decades has led to severe acidification of waters in southern Norway. Acidic water can be fatal to gill-breathing vertebrates (i.e. fish and larval amphibians). Great crested newt Triturus cristatus (GCN) - seems to be less tolerant of acidic water than other Norwegian amphibians. Not until 2015 was GCN recorded in Agder, the southernmost county in Norway, when the larvae of this species were found in two ponds. The aim of our investigation, in late spring and summer 2021, was to find out whether GCN was still present in these two ponds and ten others in the same area, which are surrounded by peat bogs and forest. Since this is a marginal and acidic area with probably low numbers of individuals and low detectability, we used three survey methods in combination (funnel traps, nets, and eDNA) and also measured water conductivity and pH. At the same time, the occurrence of other amphibians in the area were investigated; the smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris, the common toad Bufo bufo, the common frog Rana temporaria and the moor frog Rana arvalis. Using traps and nets, GCN was found in four ponds but in only two of these ponds by eDNA. However, GCN eDNA was detected in three other ponds, showing that a combination of methods gave the most complete result. eDNA of the common toad and the common frog were detected in (almost) all samples but there were few records from traps or nets. Smooth newts were detected in almost all ponds by traps, nets and eDNA, while none of the methods detected the moor frog. Especially when a species is rare at a location, eDNA analysis may be the most efficient method of detection. However, only trapping and netting can give information about breeding. Water pH in late spring and early summer varied from 4.7 to 5.6 (median pH 5.1), which makes this area marginal for amphibian reproduction.

Smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris and common toad Bufo bufo populations persisting in the unusually small area of Sommers Island in the Baltic Sea

Sommers Island is an abandoned 20 ha patch of land in the Baltic Sea. It is inhabited by isolated populations of smooth newt (Lissotriton vulgaris) and common toad (Bufo bufo). The island demonstrates the small area in which it is possible to have a stable population of newts and toads for a period of at least several decades, probably much longer. Most reproduction of both species occurred in one pool with an area of about 100 m². The total area of optimal terrestrial habitat is about 2.5 ha, with an additional 3.5 ha of sub-optimal habitat available. The island is inhabited by about 123 adult newts and several dozen adult toads.

Winter Records of Amphibians as Avian Prey: The Case of the Great Grey Shrike and the Smooth Newt

The Smooth Newt Lissotriton vulgaris is a hibernating amphibian, whose winter activity in central and eastern Europe is very rarely observed. We found seven Smooth Newts in late November and early December in eastern Poland in larders of the Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor. The amphibians had probably been caught by the shrike while it was looking for a suitable overwintering site. Increasing numbers of winter records of Smooth Newts may be expected in eastern Europe in connection with climate warming; analysis of the diets of certain avian species may be helpful in this respect.

Faunistic review of amphibians in protected areas of Ukrainian Roztochia

Background. Study of amphibian fauna as a necessary component of ecosystems is always relevant and requires a regular renewal of information, especially in protected areas. We conducted a field investigation of amphibians, a literature review and an inventory of the collections of herpetological funds in relation to three protected areas: the Roztochia Biosphere Reserve, the Yavorivskyi National Park, and the Cholgini Ornithological Reserve. Materials and Methods. The field study was performed by classical methods: route method with manual catching and with herpetological nets, vocalization method, sampling of amphibians crushed on the road, and catching individuals with frog fences. We also analyzed the literature and amphibian collections in the Zoological Museum of Ivan Franko National University of Lviv. Results. According to the available literature, the amphibian fauna of these three areas under protection is similar and typical of this region. The results of our field research slightly differ from the literature data, thus, there is a need for further studies. On the study areas, we found 12 species of amphibians, which is more than half of the number of amphibian species in Ukraine, in particular: Smooth Newt Lissotriton vulgaris, Great Cres­ted Newt Triturus cristatus, Fire-bellied Toad Bombina bombina, Eastern Tree Frog Hyla orientalis, Common Spadefoot Toad Pelobates fuscus, Common Toad Bufo bufo, Green Toad Bufotes viridis, Common Frog Rana temporaria, Moor Frog Rana arvalis, Marsh Frog Pelophylax ridibundus, Edible Frog Pelophylax esculentus and Pool Frog Pelophylax lessonae. We detected 2 species of Caudata and 10 species of Anura. 10 species of amphibians were found in the Roztochia Biosphere Reserve, 5 species – in the Yavorivskyi National Park, and 9 species – in the Cholgini Ornithological Reserve. Conclusions. According to the field results, 4 species inhabit all three protected areas – Common Toad, Eastern Tree Frog, Marsh Frog and Edible Frog. A relatively small variety of amphibians found in the Yavorivskyi National Park can be due to the homogeneity of habitats and a proximity of one of the largest military proving grounds in Europe, which limits amphibians in choice of the reproductive and trophic habitats. These habitats deserve special attention because of their fast degradation for the last 10 years. Keywords: amphibians, fauna, protected areas, Ukrainian Roztochia, the Roztochia Biosphere Reserve, the Yavorivskyi National Park, the Cholgini Ornithological Reserve

Influence of climate aridization and changes in the Black Sea level on the features of tailed amphibians (amphibia, caudata) distribution in the Oleshky sands

There are information on the distribution of caudate amphibians Smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris (Linnaeus, 1758) and Danube crested newt Triturus dobrogicus (Kiritzescu, 1903) in the Oleshkovsky sands (Lower Dnieper region, Ukraine) in this report.

Herpetofauna of the Pieprzowe Mountains Nature Reserve and adjacent areas

Abstract The study was focused on determining the sites of amphibian and reptile occurrence in the Pieprzowe Mountains Nature Reserve (area 18.01 ha) and adjacent areas (total area 58.81 ha). The investigations also involved the biology of breeding in the selected species, as well as determining threats and protection measures. Situated in the eastern part of the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, the steppe-like Pieprzowe (Pepper) Mountains Nature Reserve was established in 1979. Its aim is to protect xerothermic assemblages inhabited by many species of rare plants including the largest European aggregation of roses growing wild. The area is located on a steep, sometimes rugged escarpment, which is part of the Vistula River erosional margin. The escarpment exposes Cambrian black pepper-like shales. The slope base is overgrown by a narrow belt of willow thickets. Above occur assemblages of xerothermic thickets with a few trees. The highest parts of the nature reserve are overgrown with xerothermic grasslands with the prevalence of feathergrass steppe (Festuco-Stipion class). The reserve is surrounded by riparian forests, waterlogged meadows and reservoirs of the Vistula former riverbed, the largest of which is an oxbow lake (5.16 ha). The following species were documented in 2016-2017: smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris L., great crested newt Triturus cristatus Laur., European fire-bellied toad Bombina bombina L., common toad Bufo bufo L., European green toad Bufotes viridis Laur., European tree frog Hyla arborea L., edible frog Pelophylax esculentus L., pool frog Pelophylax lessonae Cam., marsh frog Pelophylax ridibundus Laur., moor frog Rana arvalis Nilss., common frog Rana temporaria L., sand lizard Lacerta agilis L., grass snake Natrix natrix L. and common European adder Vipera berus L. The studies were focused on biology of breeding and phenology in common toad and common frog. The main threats posed on herpetofauna include: human presence, littering, fire raising and changes of water balance. © IOŚ-PIB

Herpetofauna of the Podkielecki Landscape Protection Area

Abstract The study was conducted in 2016-2017 in the Podkielecki Landscape Protection Area (area 26,485 ha). It was focused on the occurrence and distribution of amphibians and reptiles, the biology of the selected species and the existing threats. Established in 1995, the Podkielecki Landscape Protection Area surrounds the city of Kielce from the north, east and south-east, and adjoins several other protected areas. It covers the western part of the Świętokrzyskie Mountains (part of the Klonowskie and Masłowskie ranges) and the southern part of the Suchedniów Plateau. The studied area is mostly covered by forest and thicket communities (48.1%) and farmlands (39.9%), followed by built-up areas (7.8%), industrial areas (0.5%), roads and railways (2.7%), and surface water bodies (1%). The protected area is developed mainly on Palaeozoic rocks, including Cambrian and Ordovician sandstones, Silurian and Carboniferous shales, and Devonian marls. Podzolic soils predominate among soils. The largest rivers include Lubrzanka, Czarna Nida, Bobrza and Belnianka. There are no natural lakes within the PLPA limits, and the largest artificial reservoirs include the Cedzyna Reservoir, Morawica Reservoir, Suków Sandpit and two sedimentation reservoirs of the Kielce Power Plant. The area includes 2 nature reserves: Barcza and Sufraganiec. The following amphibian species were recognised during the investigations within the borders of the studied area: alpine newt Ichthyosaura alpestris Laur., great crested newt Triturus cristatus Laur., smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris L., European fire-bellied toad Bombina bombina L., common spadefoot toad Pelobates fuscus Laur., common toad Bufo bufo L., natterjack toad Epidalea calamita Laur., European green toad Bufotes viridis Laur., European tree frog Hyla arborea L., pool frog Pelophylax lessonae Cam., edible frog Pelophylax esculentus L., marsh frog Pelophylax ridibundus Pall., moor frog Rana arvalis Nilss., and common frog Rana temporaria L. The reptiles were represented by sand lizard Lacerta agilis L., viviparous lizard Zootoca vivipara Jacquin, slow worm Anguis fragilis L., grass snake Natrix natrix L. and common European adder Vipera berus L. The study also included the phenology and breeding biology of the common toad and common frog. The most crucial herpetofauna conservation problems identified here include amphibians killed on roads by vehicles. The study area is intersected by very busy roads, in particular: European route no. E77, national roads nos. 73, 74 and S74, and regional roads nos. 745, 750 and 764. For this reason, future road reconstruction projects should consider the assembly of various crossing roads for wildlife, particularly on the 600 m long section of national road no. 74 near Cedzyna Reservoir. Other threats include illegal waste dumping, pollution of surface waters, fire setting, overgrowing and desiccation of small water bodies. © IOŚ-PIB

Helminth endoparasites of the smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris: linking morphological identification and molecular data.

The helminth endoparasites of many European amphibian species are often known exclusively from morphological descriptions. A molecular library of DNA sequence data linked to morphological identifications is still in its infancy. In this paper, we aim to contribute to such a library on the smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris, the intermediate and definitive host of 31 helminth parasites, according to evidence published so far. Newts (n = 69) were collected at two study sites in western Germany and examined for the presence of helminths. A total of five helminth species were detected in 56 (81%) of the newts, but only one or two species infected a single host. Four out of five helminth species were identified morphologically and based on DNA sequences as Parastrigea robusta (metacercariae), Oswaldocruzia filiformis, Megalobatrachonema terdentatum (adults and larvae) and Cosmocerca longicauda, and the corresponding sequences were provided subsequently. Oswaldocruzia molgeta was confirmed to be a junior synonym of O. filiformis. Molecular data on a fifth species (a cosmocercid nematode) that could not be identified at species level were added to GenBank. These findings increased the molecular library on morphologically identified smooth newt parasites significantly, from 12 to 15 entries.

Taxonomic status of a newly described island population of the smooth newtLissotriton vulgaris (Linnaeus, 1758) from Bozcaada (Çanakkale, Turkey)

The taxonomic status and phylogenetic position of the recently recorded smooth newt (Lissotriton vulgaris) population from the island of Bozcaada (Canakkale, Turkey) is clarified on the basis of morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses. The L. vulgaris population from Bozcaada presents body proportions and morphological features of subsp. schmidtlerorum, such as small body length, absence of the tail filament, and dorsal crest with pointed free margin. Similarly, phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial DNA sequences (ND4, 16S rRNA) place the Bozcaada population within Clade E of the recent L. vulgaris phylogeny, which consists of L. v. schmidtlerorum populations.

Heavy traffic, low mortality - tram tracks as terrestrial habitat of newts

Amphibian mortality caused by rail traffic has not attracted much attention in comparison to road mortality. Density of railways in landscape, as well as traffic intensity, is usually much lower than in case of roads. As a consequence, their overall effect on amphibian populations is tacitly assumed to be less negative. To test whether very intensive rail traffic can cause substantial mortality in population of a small amphibian, we investigated a Smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris population located in the city of Poznan, W Poland, where tram tracks border isolated breeding ponds. We performed controls during the peak of autumn migratory activity along the tracks. Less than 1% of all individuals found during the survey were killed by rail traffic. Observed mortality was very low despite large number of individuals present on the track and intensive tram traffic. As negative effects of traffic are low, rail or tram embankments can provide an important terrestrial habitat for small European newts.

I Environmental DNA sampling is more sensitive than a traditional survey technique for detecting an aquatic invader.

Effective management of alien species requires detecting populations in the early stages of invasion. Environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling can detect aquatic species at relatively low densities, but few studies have directly compared detection probabilities of eDNA sampling with those of traditional sampling methods. We compare the ability of a traditional sampling technique (bottle trapping) and eDNA to detect a recently established invader, the smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris vulgaris, at seven field sites in Melbourne, Australia. Over a four-month period, per-trap detection probabilities ranged from 0.01 to 0.26 among sites where L. v. vulgaris was detected, whereas per-sample eDNA estimates were much higher (0.29-1.0). Detection probabilities of both methods varied temporally (across days and months), but temporal variation appeared to be uncorrelated between methods. Only estimates of spatial variation were strongly correlated across the two sampling techniques. Environmental variables (water depth, rainfall, ambient temperature) were not clearly correlated with detection probabilities estimated via trapping, whereas eDNA detection probabilities were negatively correlated with water depth, possibly reflecting higher eDNA concentrations at lower water levels. Our findings demonstrate that eDNA sampling can be an order of magnitude more sensitive than traditional methods, and illustrate that traditional- and eDNA-based surveys can provide independent information on species distributions when occupancy surveys are conducted over short timescales.

Homeward orientation of displaced newts (Triturus cristatus, Lissotriton vulgaris) is restricted to the range of routine movements

Initial orientation of crested newts Triturus cristatus and smooth newts Lissotriton vulgaris was measured following passive displacement to arenas placed at 12 test sites 0.213–24.2 km distant from the breeding pond. Newts were transported by car without visual and olfactory outward journey information, but had full access to local orientation clues at the release site during the night and early morning before testing. Within the area of previous migratory experience, the initial directional choice of both species was significantly directed to home. Outside the area of familiarity, the initial orientation was indistinguishable from random in all but one site each at 3 and 20 km distance, respectively. We suggest that short-distance orientation was probably based on olfactory beaconing and on a learned spatial map integrating visual and olfactory information. The failure of homeward orientation following long-distance displacement indicates the absence of a spatial map which allows for extrapolation into unknown areas. The geomagnetic features of the study area include regional-scale irregularities probably impeding the derivation of reliable information from a geomagnetic map.

The "tooth systems" of Lissotriton vulgaris (Amphibia: Urodela) with special regard to delayed metamorphosis

A study on the cranial morphology, especially on the tooth bearing (dental) systems of several preserved developmental stages (from early premetamorphic larvae, in which most skull elements were already present and ossified or ossified in part, to transformed adult) of the smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris (Salamandridae) was undertaken. We used μCT (to visualize the ossified elements in general and their relationships to each other) and an overall Alizarinred staining (to at best visualize teeth, replacement teeth, tooth buds and, after removing the oral mucosa, the course of dental laminae). Specimens cleared and stained with Alzarinred and Alcianblue were shown to be less suitable for our questions. In one case we used histological sections to follow the course of dental laminae, and in a second case scanning electron microscopy to show the structure of teeth in detail. The general sequence, growth, and changes of the bony elements including the “dental systems”, especially around metamorphosis, known from several other salamandrids are largely confirmed. Concerning the “tooth systems”, metamorphic events include the late appearance of the maxillae, resorption of the coronoids and palatines including their tooth-patches, remodelling of the vomer, i.e. resorption of the vomerine larval tooth-patch, formation of the edentate vomerine plate, and outgrowth of the monstichously dentate vomerine bar (typical for salamandrids). We show evidence that the larval vomer is not completey resorbed and that, unlike what has been described for Salamandra salamandra, the development of the vomerine bar is probably preceded by a shift of the dental lamina towards the middle of the palate, leaving a broad area between larval vomer and dental lamina. We hypothesize that the connective tissue in this area ossifies later and extends posteriorly forming the vomerine bar. It is noteworthy that in nearly all larvae vomer and intact pterygopalatinum were very close together either on one side or on both sides leading in overwintered larvae to the fusion of the vomer and the palatinal portion of the pterygopalatinum, primarily on one side. The zone of fusion is always characterized by a buccal notch. We think that in L. vulgaris the formation of “vomeropterygopalatina” is supported by the close proximity of the two bones and that these bones may fuse due to an imbalance between differentiation- and growth rate (indirectly caused by low temperatures). Approximation and especially fusion of the two bones correspond with the extension of the vomerine dental lamina into the area of the palatine, which temporally provides the latter with teeth. Overwintered larvae show further deviations concerning growth and differentiation of the mouth roof, which can be also interpreted as signs of delayed metamorphosis. They retain, for example, a largely intact dentate palatine, but with some regression of its tooth-patch, while the larval vomer is enlarged anteriorly and posteriorly and its number of teeth has increased; and the largely intact pterygopalatinal bony bridge. Further, maxillae begin to ossify. All larvae obviously have reached a late premetamorphic larval stage before the delay has started.

Flexibility is everything: prey capture throughout the seasonal habitat switches in the smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris.

Transitions between aquatic and terrestrial habitats are significant steps in vertebrate evolution. Due to the different biophysical demands on the whole organism in water and air, such transitions require major changes of many physiological functions, including feeding. Accordingly, the capability to modulate the pre-programmed chain of prey-capture movements might be essential to maintain performance in a new environment. Newts are of special interest in this regard as they show a multiphasic lifestyle where adults change seasonally between an aquatic and a terrestrial stage. For instance, the Alpine newt is capable of using tongue prehension to feed on land only when in the terrestrial stage, but still manages to suction feed if immersed whilst in terrestrial stage. During the aquatic stage, terrestrial feeding always involved grasping prey by the jaws. Here, we show that this seasonal shift in feeding behavior is also present in a species with a shorter terrestrial stage, the smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris. Behavioral variability increases when animals change from aquatic to terrestrial strikes in the aquatic stage, but prey-capture movements seem to be generally well-coordinated across the feeding modes. Only suction feeding in the terrestrial stage was seldom performed and appeared uncoordinated. Our results indicate that newts exhibit a high degree of seasonal flexibility of the prey-capture behavior. The similarity between movement patterns of suction feeding and terrestrial feeding suggests that only relatively subtle neuromotoric adjustments to the ancestral, suction-feeding motor program are required to successfully feed in the new environment.

A skeletochronological study of the smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris (Amphibia: Urodela) from an island and a mainland population in Turkey

To understand the effects of island and mainland on life history traits (e.g. longevity, age at maturity, body size and body mass) of the smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris (Linnaeus, 1758), we generated data on age and body measurements for an island (Bozcaada) and a mainland (Çanakkale) population in northwestern Turkey. Age was determinated by skeletochronology. The maximum life span was 4 years in the island population and 5 years in the mainland population. Age at maturity was estimated to be 2–3 years for both sexes and the populations. While mean snout-venth length (SVL) was calculated as 35.56 mm for females and 31.95 mm for males in the mainland population, it was found to be 32.83 mm for females and 31.78 mm for males in the island population. Females from the mainland population were found to be significantly larger and heavier than those of the island population. A significant positive correlation was found between SVL and age for only males in the mainland population. Unexpectedly, age was not correlated with body size for the island individuals. Since there were hardly any demographic studies on any Urodela species comparing island and mainland populations, in this paper we contribute to the literature on this subject.

Facultative paedomorphosis in a population of Lissotriton vulgaris (Amphibia: Salamandridae) from the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (Romania)

Facultative paedomorphosis refers to the simultaneous expression of 2 different phenotypes (i.e. paedomorphic and metamorphic) within the same population. Over the last 6 decades, this phenomenon was reported from only 5 populations of smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris (Linnaeus, 1758) in Romania. In the spring of 2011, we found a new facultative paedomorphic population. The sample was female-biased, thus suggesting a sex-dependent expression of the paedomorphic phenotype. Most of the populations recorded in Romania were found in permanent water bodies with abundant vegetation.