THE DISTRIBUTION AND HABITATS OF THE NEWT (TRITURUS, AMPHIBIA) IN CALABRIA (SOUTHERN ITALY)

SUMMARY We provide data about the present day distribution and ecology of the Italian southern-most newt populations triturus, Amphibia). In 1981–1986 the Calabrian wetlands were studied and classified. The presence/absence of the species were recorded as well as their main morphometric parameters. We observed and described 69 Triturus italicus (Peracca), 15 Triturus camifex (Laurenti) and 4 Triturus alpestris (Laurenti) breeding sites. Triturus italicus shows a high ecological plasticity and preferably colonizes man-made tanks or small seasonal pools below 800 m. In contrast, Triturus carnifex and Triturus alpestris are mostly found above 800 m and in ponds located in the beech woods. Ecological analysis highlighted how species density depends on climate and on the presence of predators.