Category Archives: Newts
Mapping the European Triturus species
In 2014 the New Atlas of Amphibians and Reptiles of Europe (the first update since 1997’s original atlas) was published in the journal Amphibia-Reptilia. In the new atlas, the crested newts and marbled newts were mapped as such, even though … Continue reading
The final nail in the coffin of Triturus arntzeni
During my work on the crested newt traditionally referred to as Triturus karelinii it soon became clear that more than one species is involved (although sorting out the details took a bit of time and is still not quite finished). … Continue reading
Triturus goes genomics, kind of
You can only learn so much about a study system if you have few genetic markers available. Particularly if that study system has an extensive history of hybridization, as is the case for Triturus. Because salamanders have massive and complex … Continue reading
Mitochondrial mess-up
The different crested newt species typically have very distinct mitochondrial DNA. However, as these guys hybridize like rabbits, often the mitochondrial DNA of one species has locally been transferred (introgressed) into the wrong species. ‘Locally’ can refer to quite an … Continue reading
Wielstra Lab 