Body size and reproductive characteristics of paedomorphic and metamorphic individuals of the northern banded newt (Ommatotriton ophryticus)

Abstract

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 1cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: black;">Paedomorphs and metamorphs of the northern banded newt (</span><em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" lang="EN-US">Ommatotriton ophryticus</span></em><span style="color: black;">) were compared with respect to body size and some reproductive traits.</span><span style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" lang="EN-US"> Both morphs have a similar reproduction pathway in terms of egg number and incubation period, while hatching success and egg diameter appear to be different between morphs. This is most likely due to differences in female body size (paedomorphic females are smaller than metamorphic individuals of the same sex).</span></span></span></p>