Neurergus

Neurergus is a genus of salamanders, more specifically newts, in the family Salamandridae. They are found in the Middle East (predominantly in Turkey and Iran), and are kept and bred in captivity for their bright colors. In nature, they inhabit streams and small rivers, and the surrounding forests or shrublands. All of the Neurergus are considered threatened species, primarily due to destruction of habitat and overcollection for the pet trade.[1]

Neurergus
Neurergus kaiseri
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Urodela
Family: Salamandridae
Subfamily: Pleurodelinae
Genus: Neurergus
Cope, 1862

Morphology

Generally, Neurergus species are dark-colored (brown to black) above, with a pattern of white to yellow to orange spots and lines. On their ventral sides, the lighter color of their spots becomes a solid color. Like most salamanders, they have five toes on their hind feet.

Species

Studies have demonstrated the genus Neurergus is monophyletic.[2] It contains these species:[3]

ImageScientific NameDistribution
Neurergus barani Öz, 1994Turkey
Neurergus crocatus Cope, 1862Iran, Iraq, and Turkey.
Neurergus derjugini (Nesterov, 1916)Iran, possibly Iraq, and possibly Turkey.
Neurergus kaiseri Schmidt, 1952southern Zagros Mountains in Iran
Neurergus strauchii (Steindachner, 1887)Turkey

References
  1. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, accessed 19 January 2009
  2. Steinfartz, S.; Hwang, U. W.; Tautz, D.; Öz, M. and Veith, M. (2002) "Molecular Phylogeny of the Salamandrid Genus Neurergus: Evidence for an Intrageneric Switch of Reproductive Biology" Amphibia-Reptilia 23: pp. 419-431, doi:10.1163/15685380260462338
  3. Frost, Darrel R. (2019). "Neurergus". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. Retrieved 11 October 2019.


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