Sword-tail newt

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.

  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 Cite error: The named reference Frost was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b Caudata Culture Species Entry - Cynops ensicauda