Crested Triton
The crested triton ( Triturus cristatus ) is a species of triton of big size (up to 18 cm) of the family of the Salamandridés. One had formerly considered four principal subspecies through Europe, but it is from now on allowed that the taxon Triturus carnifex , formerly Triturus cristatus carnifex , is a species with whole share, represented in Austria, in the north of Balkans, in Italy and as far as Haute-Savoie.
To spring, for the period of reproduction, the male crested Tritons present a notched dorsal peak sometimes rather high and being prolonged to the tail, giving them the aspect of small dinosaurs. It is during this period that the crested Tritons attend the aquatic environment. After the long bridal dance of the male, the female lays from 200 to 300 eggs, stuck individually on watery plants. The Têtard S present external gills and their metamorphosis occurs into 2 to 4 months. Very sensitive to the pollution and the modification of the mediums, the crested Tritons prefer the large sunny and deep ponds with much of vegetation. They are not put up with the presence of fish.
One meets the crested Triton in Europe central and septentrional. Contrary to the Alpine tritons, it does not exceed 1200 m of altitude. In the Iberian peninsula and the south-west of the France, they are the marbled tritons ( Triturus marmoratus ) which replaces them. Populations relics of crested Tritons were found recently in Gard and the Rhone delta, indicating the possible presence of former populations along the valley of the Rhone. The important rarefaction of the crested Triton in France these thirty last years is due to multiple factors: the agricultural regrouping, urbanization of the plains, road installation, the water pollution, the lowering of the ground water as well as the filling of the ponds and their artificialisation in fishing zones. The attempts at displacement of the populations, following projects of installation for example, generally showed failures. Only the safeguarding of their original habitats makes it possible the crested Tritons to guarantee their survival.
External bonds
| Random links: | Patrick Renou | Spoonfinger | 1999 as a cartoon | Owata | Auguste Legrand | Lakewood,_la_Caroline_du_Sud |