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Kukushkin O. V., Dovgal I. V., Leonov S. V., Kuschan N. B. SEXUAL DIMORPHISM OF THE MORPHOMETRIC PARAMETERS AND PECULIARITIES OF THE COLOR PATTERN OF KARELIN'S NEWT (AMPHIBIA: CAUDATA: SALAMANDRIDAE) FROM THE POPULATION IN THE BURCHU-GOL’ LAKE. Current Studies in Herpetology, 2016, vol. 16, iss. 1, pp. 27-?. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18500/1814-6090-2016-16-1-2-27-42


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SEXUAL DIMORPHISM OF THE MORPHOMETRIC PARAMETERS AND PECULIARITIES OF THE COLOR PATTERN OF KARELIN'S NEWT (AMPHIBIA: CAUDATA: SALAMANDRIDAE) FROM THE POPULATION IN THE BURCHU-GOL’ LAKE

Abstract

The intrapopulation variability of 20 morphometric characteristics and 26 indices of the body proportions of Karelin’s newt Triturus karelinii (Strauch, 1870) in the Burchu-Gol’ Lake (the Crimea, Chatyrdagh massif, 870 m a. s. l.) was estimated by employing standard statistical methods and discriminant analysis. The studied specimens demonstrated absolute discrimination into two groups, males and females, respectively. The most correlated parameters by which sexual dimorphism manifested itself to the greatest extent could be used to study the variability of other Karelin’s newt populations to develop differential diagnostics of closely related species of the T. karelinii complex inhabiting the Balkans and Anatolia. The body-to-tail length ratio of mature males, females and yearlings was analyzed; linear regression equations were obtained for these parameters. By applying an approach for analyzing allometric growth cases it has been revealed that the newt’s tail grows proportionally in respect to the body regardless its age and gender. A study of the body coloration and pattern helped us to establish gender-specific characteristics which were not always discrete. So, they are supposed to be auxiliary for T. karelinii sex identification. Color variations specific for this particular local population and unique for the Crimea in the whole were revealed. Their appearance is probably due to the long-term independent evolution of T. karelinii in the Peninsula.

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