Paramesotriton hongkongensis (Myers & Leviton, 1962)
Hong Kong Newt 香港瘰螈
 





Taxonomy

Order Caudata
Family Salamandridae
Scientific name Paramesotriton hongkongensis
Chinese name 香港瘰螈
Common name Hong Kong Newt

 

Description

Size 14 - 15 cm
Description
  • The only native tailed amphibian in Hong Kong
  • Back dark brown or black with granules scattered all over the body
  • Eyes with horizontal pupils
  • Belly with irregular orange patches
  • Forelimb with four digits
  • Hindlimb with five digits
  • Tail dark coloured. thin and laterally flattened; with a thin red stripe along the ventral border


Habitat and Ecology

Habitat

Unpolluted mountain streams
Activity Nocturnal
Diet Earthworm, tadpoles and other insects. It is reported that part of the diet consists of the eggs of Hong Kong Newts.


Reproduction

Breeding period

September to March. Breeding season occurs during dry season to avoid exposing itself to the fast stream current.

Breeding males have a broad, blue streak on the tail. The line will disappear after breeding

Larvae Larvae total length is about 15 mm which posses external gills. Metamorphosis occurs after seven months at which time gills disappears.
Egg Pale, round, gelatinous. Usually are sticked to submerged plants.

 

Distribution and Conservation

Distribution

Eastern, central and northern New Territories (e.g Tai Mo Shan, Shing Mun), Hong Kong Island (e.g Tai Tam Reservoir) and Lantau Island (e.g. Tai Ho Stream)

It was once believed to be endemic species of Hong Kong, but found to be occured in Guangdong Province.

Conservation status (IUCN)

 Near Threatened

 

Gallery

male

 adult 4

adult 1

adult 3

 

 

References
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