Skeletal deformities?

[ODell]

I have several juvenile Notophthalmus with what looks like skeletal deformities. Three individuals have it while one does not. The vertebra directly anterior to the base of the tail seem fused, and project sharply upward. I am quite disturbed by this as it was not apparent until somewhat recently. I am curious to know what the possible causes of this might be, as i would like to avoid this pain/hindrance in the future. I tried searching the site and science journals but didn't come up with much.

 

[Azhael]

A picture might certainly help.
Skeletal abnormalities can happen, among other reasons, because of a calcium deficit in the diet....do you have them since they were small or did you acquire them as adults?

 

[Jennewt]

Were these juvs that you raised from eggs, or obtained as juveniles?

I've certainly seen cases of spinal deformities like this, and I really would like to know what the cause is. Diet (metabolic bone disease) is always cited as the most likely culprit, but I wonder if that's really it.

 

[ODell]

I raised them from eggs, laid by adult newts of mine. It just seems weird that not all of them got it.