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Cynops: Fire-belly Newts
by Terry Gampper
email PHFrog

SECTION (1) Identification of Newts in the Genus Cynops (Tschudi, 1839):

The fire-belly newts belong to the genus Cynops. They are popular among those who keep newts and readily available at most pet stores. The most common of the fire-belly newts available are those of group 1, the Japanese fire-bellies. In Japan they are called Imori. To distinguish between species in the three groups is fairly simple by carefully observing color patterns, skin texture, and other secondary characteristics.

The genus Cynops contains five species and can be divided into three groups:

1) Cynops pyrrhogaster and C. ensicauda are native to Japan and the Ryukyu (Okinawa) Islands. Description: color pattern of back is uniform black or very dark brown, no spot behind eye; the parotid glands (on top of neck behind eyes) are quite prominent; skin has a rough texture; the back is arched. The Japanese fire-bellies (group 1) can be further identified by color of belly: C. pyrrhogaster is red blotched with black; and C. ensicauda is yellow blotched with black.

2) C. orientalis is in a group by itself and is native to east central China (along the lower Yangtze River and eastern coast). Description: color pattern of back is uniform black, no spot behind eye; the parotid glands are conspicuous; skin is smooth; and the back flattened.

3) C. wolterstorffi and C. cyanurus make up the third species group and is native to the Yunnan and Guizhou (Kweichow) provinces of southwestern China. Description: color pattern of back is black, the vertebral ridge is brownish yellow with an orange-red spot behind eye; the parotid glands are inconspicuous; skin is rough; and the back arched.

SECTION (2) Why Are There Species Groups in the Genus Cynops?

Newts in the genus Cynops are divided into groups based on their geographical and physical characteristics. According to studies, the Japanese phyrrhogaster group is the most primitive of the three. Characteristics are classified as being original or of the earliest time (primitive state) or ones that evolved later (derived state). Five characteristics were used in the study:

1) the nasal process of the premaxilla (the bony structure of the skull near the nose);

2) skin texture;

3) vertebral ridge (back or dorsum);

4) parotid gland (wart-like gland on the neck); and

5) color patterns of back.

A. The phyrrhogaster group:

1) nasal process is short (primitive)
2) skin texture rough (primitive)
3) vertebral ridge is arched (primitive)
4) parotid gland is enlarged and very conspicuous (primitive)
5) color pattern is uniform black (primitive)

B. The orientalis group:

1) nasal process is long (derived)
2) skin texture is smooth (derived)
3) vertebral ridge is flattened (derived)
4) parotid gland is conspicuous (primitive)
5) color pattern is uniform black (primitive)

1) nasal process is long (derived)
2) skin texture is rough (primitive)
3) vertebral ridge is arched (primitive)
4) parotid gland is inconspicuous (derived)
5) color pattern is black, vertebral ridge is brownish-yellow, and orange-red spot behind eye (derived)

These are some of the characteristics used by scientists to determine which genus an animal belongs to, so it is possible that these species in the genus Cynops may be elevated to genus or subgenus level. Much research needs to be done. It is also noted that newts in the phyrrhogaster group have the largest geographic distribution among the Cynops newts. The size of their geographical range may also give clues to their biogeographic history (the most primitive group). The oldest groups will tend to have the widest distribution and, because of the frequency of extinction, will also exhibit the most discontinuous ranges. The Atlas of Reptiles and Amphibians for the Terrarium, published by T.F.H. and edited by F.J. Obst, et al, mentions that there are 8 forms, of which 5 have been elevated to species level. They are closely related to the European newt genus Triturus. Newts in the genus Cynops, except C. ensicauda, live in cool water, and all are aquatic most of their life.

SECTION (3): A Cynops Checklist (Amphibia, Caudata, Salamandridae):

China:

C. chenggongensis (Kou/Xing, 1983)
C. cyanurus chuxiongensis (Fei/Ye, 1983)
C. cyanurus cyanurus (Liu/Yang, 1962)
C. cyanurus yunnanensis (Liu/Yang, 1962)
C. orientalis (David, 1871)
C. orphicus (Risch, 1983)
C. shataukokensis (Freytag/Eberhardt, 1977)
C. wolterstorffi (Boulenger, 1905)

Japan:

C. ensicauda (Hallowell, 1860)
C. pyrrhogaster (Boie, 1826)

Wake,D.B. and Ozeti,N., "Evolutionary Relationships in the Family Salamandridae", Copeia, 1969(1):124-137

Zhao,Ermi and Hu,Qixiong, "A Checklist of Chinese Salamanders", Studies on Chinese Salamanders, Herp. Soc. of Japan, 1988, 65-67

Zhao,Ermi, "The Classification and Evolution of the Chinese Salamandridae", Studies on Chinese Salamanders, Herp. Soc. of Japan, 1988, 12-26

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