C. e. ensicauda spots -- distinguishing feature?

[TJ]

I'm beginning to wonder of the sprinkling of tiny white spots on the dorsum of C.e.e is unique to this subspecies, not occurring with C.e.popei. This is not the case with all C.e.e, however. Still, I haven't seen it pointed out in any documentation before as a difference between the two subspecies of ensicauda. Any thoughts?

(Message edited by TJ on July 21, 2004)

 

[TJ]

Here's another such individual:

 

[TJ]

I hasten to add that I'm not referring to the larger gold/yellow/white speckling that's typical of C.e.p

Here is another shot, showing C.e.e with and without the tiny white spots:

 

[TJ]

I have another C.e. that has very unique markings of a different sort. Notice the whitish or pale bluish areas of discoloration on the newt pictured the second from the left. It's not due to shedding or to some affliction (as far as I'm aware), having been this way since I acquired it a couple of years ago, if my memory serves me correctly. As you can see, it also has some of the tiny white dots that I spoke of, located around the middle of its dorsum.

 

[TJ]

 

[hayden]

Those are very pretty newts tim.