There was some discussion recently about some Japanese photos showing C. pyrrhogaster that were red all over, or red with black spots. I was surprised to learn that there is a published paper about them in 2003. The authors list all documented cases (only 19) and did some breeding experiments with one such animal to show that the high-red trait was recessive. The "red" grandchildren turned out yellow due to differences in the captive diet.
KUMI MATSUI, JUNSUKE MARUNOUCHI, AND MASAHISA NAKAMURA
Current Herpetology 22 (1): 37-42, June 2003
(C)2003 by The Herpetological Society of Japan
Red Variants of the Japanese Newt Cynops pyrrhogaster
(Amphibia: Salamandridae): Review of Records and Captive
Observations on the Heredity of Coloration
Abstract: We surveyed information regarding the locality and detailed dorsal
color pattern of red variants of the Japanese newt, Cynops pyrrhogaster.
Results indicated that more individuals characterized by red dorsal ground
color have been found in the western half of Japan and that such variants can
be classified into three types. The heredity of coloration in one of these variant
types, that having numerous small black spots on dorsum, was examined in a
series of hybridization experiments in captivity. The results strongly suggested
that coloration of this variant type is inherited and recessive.
KUMI MATSUI, JUNSUKE MARUNOUCHI, AND MASAHISA NAKAMURA
Current Herpetology 22 (1): 37-42, June 2003
(C)2003 by The Herpetological Society of Japan
Red Variants of the Japanese Newt Cynops pyrrhogaster
(Amphibia: Salamandridae): Review of Records and Captive
Observations on the Heredity of Coloration
Abstract: We surveyed information regarding the locality and detailed dorsal
color pattern of red variants of the Japanese newt, Cynops pyrrhogaster.
Results indicated that more individuals characterized by red dorsal ground
color have been found in the western half of Japan and that such variants can
be classified into three types. The heredity of coloration in one of these variant
types, that having numerous small black spots on dorsum, was examined in a
series of hybridization experiments in captivity. The results strongly suggested
that coloration of this variant type is inherited and recessive.
