Maa metamorph male in breeding dress

[jewett]

One of my less-than-a-year old Maa males decided to go into breeding dress about 6 weeks ago. Out of my 10 Maa morphs I have at least 2 males, but only this one has really developed the crest and the coloration. The other male just has a tiny crest, but they both tail fan their tank mates and have enlarged cloaca's. What I think is funny is that this little guy is only one of two morphs left that still has gill remnants. It's like he's only "acting" all grown up, though I know they can breed this young and Mesotritons can have neotony. At what age do you consider a newt truly neotenic? These guys will be a year old this spring. Here are some lousy pictures of the little fellow

 

[Jake]

They're little stunners in breeding dress. I have two males out of a group of 13. One of my females is almost two years old and still has tiny nubs of gills. She had them when I first got her, but they haven't gotten any smaller.

 

[ButtercupSaiyan]

So the crests develop during the breeding season? (Please pardon my ignorance on this wonderful species... Google is stingy with specific answers.)

 

[andrew_taricha]

i had a few apuanus in a litter that kept their gills into breeding dress but did eventually loose them completely. im thinking they were a year and a half or even older before they went away

 

[Jennewt]

They're little stunners in breeding dress. I have two males out of a group of 13....

Based on my experience, I would bet the farm that you have more than 2 males. Among the youngsters of this species, there are often one or two who show males traits early on. The other males remain "covert" for the first couple of years. I had several that had me totally fooled into believing that they were females.

 

[brucedickinson]

Yeah, I have three m.a.a. (thanks Andrew!) -- one I am definitely sure is female, one I can tell is male, and one is very ???

 

[jewett]

Jen, that is very interesting. I think that I have at least 3 males but sounds like my census will not be certain for a few more years. They have also lost all but the smallest "nubs" of their gills.