First evidence of a paedomorphic population of the smooth newt (Lissotriton vulgaris) in the Czech Republic
2013
Abstract
Facultative paedomorphosis is an environmentally induced polymorphism that is well known for many caudate species including newts. Although facultative paedomorphosis has been documented in some smooth-newt populations, records of entirely paedomorphic populations outside the Balkans are limited.
Here we present the first evidence of a paedomorphic population of the smooth newt in the Czech Republic with discussion of potential causes that need to be further tested.