Question: Sexing T shanjing - Mandarin Newt - HELP NEEDED

[clahalle]

Hi All!

I have two specimens and I am a little bit confused also when it comes to sexing.
I've read swollen cloaca, smaller and more streamline = male
Not swollen and volcano shape = female
Well... I'm a little bit confused... since the one that has a more swollen cloaca has a "volcano shape" and the one that does not have it swollen has a "streamline shape"


If you could please help I would greatly appreciate it!!!!
Sexing... | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

(I will post more pics tomorrow with a better quality)

 

[Mark]

I think you may have guessed it correct. The difference in cloacal size between the sexes is only very slight so it's a tough one to call. Males may have a longer slit and a larger swelling. The comparison image on our caresheet is quite similar to yours so you could be right. Caudata Culture Species Entry - Tylototriton shanjing

 

[clahalle]

Thanks Mark!
Yes...
I think my lack of security resides in the following:
The suspected male:
has a larger cloaca
it has a more widder head and forearms
but
it's one third larger than the suspected female (they are supposed to have same age and same eating conditions but cannot be certain)
it doesn't have a stream line cloaca

Te suspected female:
does not have a swollen cloaca
has a proportional smaller head
but
it has a kind of streamline cloaca to me.

More pics tomorrow!!!

Clara

 

[clahalle]

After looking into the cloacas a little further I got to the conclusion that both are females.