The colors of subsequent generations?

[jameswei]

Hi

I know firebelly toads can not be breed without introducing a wild specimen every few generations or so if one wants to maintain the red coloration on the belly. the reason hasnt been discovered as to why and how the belly is red, most likely dued to the natural chemicals and substrates found in their natural habitats. my question is, whether this is the true for firebelly newts and subsequent subspecies as well.? are there discolorations with each geneartion that cna only be remedied by introduction of a wild offspring?

 

[nesaraj]

Yes, the colouration of firebelly newts has been established:

Zoolog Sci. 2003 Apr;20(4):435-40.

"Morphological and biochemical changes in carotenoid granules in the ventral skin during growth of the Japanese newt Cynops pyrrhogaster."

 

[paris]

it appears that food does play a role in the redness-but also genetics are at play. it would seem do-able to breed from those that express the red more even w/o the influence of beta carotine and thus make colour a higher genetic trait in CB specimens.

 

[nesaraj]

Zoolog Sci. 2003 Jul;20(7):855-9. Related Articles, Links
Here is another citation:

Zoolog Sci. 2003 Oct;20(10):1323.

"Food habit of the juvenile of the Japanese newt Cynops pyrrhogaster."

 

[joseph]

Does inbreeding cause this loss of color? If so, that should be solvable, but only with effort and cooperation between fellow keepers.

 

[sergé]

I think there is no proof of inbreeding as a cause for the disappearance of red coloration. Not with Bombina nor with Cynops. If there is any literature (James? you say that you know?)you can refer me to I would like to read it. As far as my experiences and knowledge goes it all comes down to food and supplements in food that they don't get in captivity but do get in the wild, where of course the variety of food items is much much larger than what we can ever offer them. Crustaceans seem to be a key factor in this (Dapnia, Gammarus etc.). Especially in the larval fase you should feed them with Daphnia a lot if you want them to get nice orange bellies. Inbreeding, to my opinion, has nothing to do with it. Not only Bombina orientalis show this, also Triturus cristatus/karelinii/carnifex/dobrogicus, Neurergus strauchii etc (in fact all the orange belly coloured species I have tested it with).

 

[jameswei]

oh it was a scientific article that i got my "facts" from. but in fact a breeder. I guess the breeder and I both recieved the wrong facts sorry bout that.