Neurergus kaiseri
Encyclopedia
Kaiser's Spotted Newt (Neurergus kaiseri), also known as the Luristan Newt or Emperor Spotted Newt (not to be confused with Tylototriton shanjing), is a species of very colourful salamander
in the Salamandridae
family. It is endemic to the southern Zagros Mountains
in Iran
. It is primarily found in highland streams that are surrounded by arid scrubland, but can also be found in ponds and pools. Water is absent from its habitat for a significant part of the year, during which this species is known to estivate. It is considered critically endangered
due to its tiny range (it inhabits an area of less than 10 km²), continuing habitat loss, and the illegal capture of salamanders for the wild animal trade. It has been estimated that the entire wild population numbers fewer than 1,000 adults.
. Iran is planning on starting its own breeding program.
Salamander
Salamander is a common name of approximately 500 species of amphibians. They are typically characterized by a superficially lizard-like appearance, with their slender bodies, short noses, and long tails. All known fossils and extinct species fall under the order Caudata, while sometimes the extant...
in the Salamandridae
Salamandridae
Salamandridae is a family of salamanders consisting of true salamanders and newts. Currently, 74 species have been identified in the northern hemisphere - Europe, Asia, the northern tip of Africa and North America...
family. It is endemic to the southern Zagros Mountains
Zagros Mountains
The Zagros Mountains are the largest mountain range in Iran and Iraq. With a total length of 1,500 km , from northwestern Iran, and roughly correlating with Iran's western border, the Zagros range spans the whole length of the western and southwestern Iranian plateau and ends at the Strait of...
in Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
. It is primarily found in highland streams that are surrounded by arid scrubland, but can also be found in ponds and pools. Water is absent from its habitat for a significant part of the year, during which this species is known to estivate. It is considered critically endangered
Critically endangered
Version 2010.3 of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 3744 Critically Endangered species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and subpopulations.Critically Endangered by kingdom:*1993 Animalia*2 Fungi*1745 Plantae*4 Protista-References:...
due to its tiny range (it inhabits an area of less than 10 km²), continuing habitat loss, and the illegal capture of salamanders for the wild animal trade. It has been estimated that the entire wild population numbers fewer than 1,000 adults.
Conservation
The Luristan Newt is a candidate for CITES listing. There is also a breeding program for the Luristan Newt at the Sedgwick County ZooSedgwick County Zoo
The Sedgwick County Zoo is an AZA-accredited wildlife park and major attraction in Wichita, Kansas. Founded in 1971 with the help of the Sedgwick County Zoological Society, the zoo has quickly become recognized both nationally and internationally for its support of conservation programs and...
. Iran is planning on starting its own breeding program.