Group of unidentified Paramesotriton

[joonas]

On my local pet shop there is an aquarium full of Paramesotriton newts. But they have no idea about the exact species. It seems to me that there is at least two different species, chinensis and caudopunctatus. Am I correct?

The quality of the photo is quite poor. Sorry about it, but it's not possible to get decent photos at the shop

 

[nate]

That's what it looks like to me Joonas, actually like 3 if the one on top is chinensis...hard to tell for sure. That's not uncommon to find 2+ species at once.

 

[chris]

I'd say caudopunctatus definately, then either guanxiensis or fuzhongensis or both, and maybe a chinensis. What shop is this? It looks like one of the few which look after newts well - or is there a heater in the tank...?
Chris
P.S. if you are thinking of gettingf some they all look healthy if a little skinny.

 

[joonas]

Thanks for your comments.

What are the main differences between guanxiensis, fuzhongensis, chinensis and other similar looking Paramesotritons? Is there any recommendable review article somewhere I should consult with this one?

The shop is in Finland, at town of Vantaa. They are doing their best to keep animals well. Newts are breeding there and they also have a pair of ararauna (Ara ararauna) taking care of their nestlings.

 

[chris]

If you look at the ends of the tails, fuzhongensis and guanxiensis goes mottled (sometimes hard to see where ther is a blue flash) and fuzhongensis also have that fleshy upper lip (look at the top newt) and black spots (see bottom left one) is most common in fuzhongensis according to the descriptive paper. The only real way to tell them apart is by accurate measuring of the head (the skulls ar slightly different) Your best bet would be to buy a group of animals from the same shipment which look similar having looked closely at them ( the top one is possibly different to the bottom left one) and hoping...
Seems like a great shop
Chris