Overwintered alpine larvae

[Clive]

I have an alpine newt larvae that has overwintered in an large outside tank. It was one that was missed last year when all the others had metamorphosed. These were fed through the winter and are now at an average size of 4.5--5cm.However the alpine that is still in it's larvae stage is now 6cm. If it is a male, will it be large enough to breed this year?

 

[Azhael]

Could be. It´s certainly not unheard of for this species to display neoteny for at least the first few years. It happens rather frequently in the wild too, where facultative neoteny is locally common. Many end up morphing, but it´s certainly possible that their first breeding season happens before that.

 

[Clive]

Neoteny,not sure? I think it's just a large larvae as no sign of adult colours.Still amazed how much larger this one is compared to the same age terrestrial ones.

 

[Azhael]

I meant that it´s possible for that larva to become neotenic. If it reached sexual maturity while still having external gills, that would make it neoteny. As of now it´s just an overwintered larvae that may or may not morph before reaching maturity. Independently of that, i think people have had males reach maturity at that size, so it´s not impossible.

 

[Clive]

Thanks for the info. Will post later on of the outcome of it's progress. Cheers