Egg Size Variation in Crested Newts from the Western Balkans (Caudata: Salamandridae: Triturus cristatus Superspecies)

Abstract

Egg size variation in crested newts from the western Balkans (Caudata: Salamandridae: Triturus cristatus superspecies). Zoological Studies 47(5): 585-590. We report herein on egg size characteristics (vitellus volume and jelly/vitellus ratio) of 4 crested newt species (Triturus cristatus superspecies). The key results were as follows: (1) maternal and population effects on these characteristics were detected, however, the species effect was much more pronounced; (2) in terms of the vitellus volume, T. karelinii and T. macedonicus had the largest eggs, T. dobrogicus had the smallest, and T. cristatus had eggs of intermediate size; (3) all species significantly differed in their jelly/vitellus ratio values, with the lowest ratio in T. macedonicus followed by T. karelinii, T. cristatus, and T. dobrogicus with the highest ratio value; and (4) the species shared a common allometric slope of the egg volume/body size relationship. The egg size traits appeared to follow a evolutionary trend similar to that of the morphological and ecological diversity characteristics.