Growth and behaviour of six species of amphibian larvae in a winter pond in Israel

The effect of different ecological niches on growth and behaviour of larvae of four frogs (Bufo viridis, Hyla arborea, Pelobates syriacus, Rana ridibunda), and two salamanders (Salamandra salamandra and Triturus vittatus) found in a winter pond was studied. S. salamandra, T. vittatus, R. ridibunda and B. viridis were found most of the time on the bottom of the pond. However, H. arborea tadpoles were found throughout the pond and were usually sedentary, as compared with P. syriacus which moved up and down constantly. S. salamandra, T. vittatus, R. ridibunda and R viridis tadpoles from the bottom of the pond grew faster than the tadpoles from the surface of the pond. However, tadpoles of H. arborea and P. syriacus growing at the bottom or on the surface developed at similar rates.The invertebrate biomass increases during the summer and was higher at the bottom of the pond than at the surface. However the amount of chlorophyll a was about the same at the surface and at the bottom of the pond. S. salamandra and T. vittatus tadpoles feed on various types of of invertebrates, R. ridibunda and H. arborea and B. viridis tadpoles feed on vascular plants and algae, and P. syriacus tadpoles feed on both invertebrates and plants.     

Giemsa C-banding patterns in Aedes (Stegomyia) mosquitoes

Chromosomes from gonads of 14–24 h old pupae of nine species of Stegomyia mosquitoes have been examined using the Giemsa C-banding technique. The species studied were Aedes albopictus, A. polynesienis, A. scutellaris, A. alcasidi, A. seatoi, A. pseudalbopictus, A. melallicus, A. annandalei and A. vittatus. The diploid chromosome number of all species is six. All species possess C-bands in the centromeric regions of each of the three pairs of chromosomes. Besides, an intercalary C-band is present on the female determining (=m) chromosome but absent from the male—determining (= M) chromosome of all species except A. vittatus. In A. vittatus, the m and M chromosomes possess a terminal C-band. Thus, the nine species of Aedes analysed showed two distinct patterns of C-banding. —The evolution of heterochromatin patterns in various species is also discussed. The Giemsa C-banding technique should prove useful in studies of chromosomal speciation in culicine mosquitoes.     

Some notes on the population dynamics of Hydrocynus vittatus (Castelnau) in Lake Kariba

Summary The data obtained from a routine gillnetting research programme carried out on Lake Kariba from October 1963 to September 1965 have been presented.Length-frequency ofH. vittatus was correlated with gonad activity.It was found that the gillnetting technique used provided sufficiently adequate data to trace the monthly growth of four separate year-classes from 14 cm up to 34 cm in length. This growth rate was found to be less when compared to data collected in 1959, just after the lake had filled. H. vittatus of 31 cm possessed the most active gonads during January 1965 and comprised 93% males, which were two years old. The catchability ofH. vittatus in the research gillnets decreased considerably for fish over 34 cm in length, which might account for the fact that females in breeding condition were scarce in the catches.The results obtained have been discussed with reference to previous literature.It was concluded that mostH. vittatus in Lake Kariba started to breed at the end of their second year during the rainy season.

---

Zusammenfassung Die vorliegende Mitteilung stützt auf Daten, die während eines Forschungsprogramms mittels Kiemennetzen in der Kariba-Talsperre, in der Zeit vom Oktober 1963 bis September 1965, gesammelt wurden.Die Längengruppen beim Tigerfish,Hydrocynus vittatus (Castelnau), werden mit den Gonadenentwicklungsstadien korreliert.Die Kiemennetzmethode hat sich zum Verfolgen des monatlichen Wachstums von vier unterschiedlichen Jahresklassen, zwischen 14 cm und 34 cm als zulänglich erwiesen.Das Wachstum war langsamer in den Jahren 1964–65 als in den Jahren 1959–60, den ersten zwei Jahren nach dem Vollaufen der Talsperre.Die Gonaden vonH. vittatus, von einer durchschnittlichen Länge von 31 cm, waren im Januar 1965 am stärksten entwickelt. Diese Gruppe enthielt 93% Männchen, deren Alter sich als zweijährig feststellen liess.Die Fangbarkeit vonH. vittatus mit den benutzten Kiemennetzen war bedeutend geringer für Fische mit einer Körperlänge von mehr als 34 cm. Vielleicht wurden aus diesem Grund so wenig reife Weibchen gefangen, da deren Durchschnittskörperlänge 35 cm beträgt.Die erhaltenen Resultate werden mit Angaben aus dem einschlägigen Schrifttum verglichen.Es wird gefolgert, dass die meisten in der Kariba-Talsperre gefangenenH. vittarus and Ende ihres zweiten Lebensjahres, während der Regenzeit, anfangen sich fortzupflanzen.

     

Fish assemblage of a traditional fishery and the seasonal variations in diet of its most abundant species Wallago attu (Siluriformes: Siluridae) from a tropical floodplain

The fish assemblage of a traditional Kata fishery and the stomach contents of Wallago attu were studied over a period of one year from a large floodplain system in Bangladesh. A total of 19 species of fish and 2 species of shrimp were recorded. W. attu (9.7–17.8%), Mystus vittatus (6.0–11.3%), M. aor (5.0–12.1%), Amblypharyngodon mola (4.4–9.3%) and Mastacembelus armatus (3.5–10.5%) dominated the catch. W.␣attu occupied the top position in abundance throughout the year, followed by M. vittatus and M. aor. Bagridae, Siluridae and Cyprinidae were three major families that contributed respectively 21.0, 17.4 and 16.1% of the total catch. Considerable seasonality was observed in the abundance of different fishes. A total of 14 different prey items were recorded, belonging to three major groups (fish, prawn and plant matters). The fish fed on at least eight species of small fishes (A. mola, M. vittatus, M. cavasius, Puntius stigma, P. ticto, Puntius sp., Glossogobius guris, and Heteropneustes fossilis) and some other unidentified small fishes. Other major prey items were small prawn, fish and prawn remains, and macroalgae. A. mola was the most important food item, contributing 23.7% of the total amount of diet by weight and 19.9% by frequency of occurrence. A. mola was followed by unidentified small prawn (13.7%), M. vittatus (13.1%), and unidentified small fishes (8.8%) by weight and by unidentified small fishes (15.9%), fish remains (12.5%), and M.␣vittatus (12.3%) by occurrence. Of the major diet categories, fish contributed 74.3% of the total diet by weight and 80.9% by occurrence, prawn contributed 18.5% by weight and 11.0% by occurrence and plants contributed 7.2% by weight and 8.1% by occurrence. A. mola and small shrimps were positively selected by W. attu. We concluded that W. attu is a piscivorous predator with potential impacts on prey fish communities; we also hypothesized that a specialized food-web based on the Kata fishery exists in and around the Katas which is of particular ecological significance.     

Life history strategy of sandy sprat Hyperlophus vittatus (Clupeidae): a comparison with clupeoids of the Indo-Pacific and southern Australia

The life history strategy of sandy sprat (whitebait) Hyperlophus vittatus was compared to those of other clupeoids found in the Indo‐Pacific and southern Australia. Hyperlophus vittatus is a small (100 mm, fork‐length, FL) pelagic species that spawns in inshore waters of southern Australia. The average growth rate for larvae (20.1–27.6 mm, total length, TL) inside the Coorong Lagoon was 0.12 mm day⁻¹. Von Bertalanffy growth parameters were k = 1.83 year⁻¹ and L_∞ = 78.10 mm and the oldest fish was ∼4 years of age. Males and females attained 50% sexual maturity at 59 and 58 mm FL, respectively, and all individuals were sexually mature at lengths ≥75 mm, at ∼1.5 years of age. Macroscopic gonad staging showed the spawning season extended from October to February (spring and summer) and peaked during November. Mean egg densities were highest between September and November. Females produced batches of pelagic eggs at a mean frequency of 5 days and batch fecundities ranged between 743 and 5600 hydrated oocytes. The life history of H. vittatus is similar to those of larger, iteroparous clupeoids that occur in southern temperate Australian waters, e.g. sardine Sardinops sagax and Australian anchovy Engraulis australis, and dissimilar to those of small tropical clupeoids and the sympatric blue sprat Spratelloides robustus, which is semelparous.     

Comparative analysis of midgut bacterial communities in three aedine mosquito species from dengue‐endemic and non‐endemic areas of Rajasthan,India

Dengue viruses are transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female aedine mosquitoes. Differences in the composition and structure of bacterial communities in the midguts of mosquitoes may affect the vector's ability to transmit the disease. To investigate and analyse the role of midgut bacterial communities in viral transmission, midgut bacteria from three species, namely Stegomyia aegypti (= Aedes aegypti), Fredwardsius vittatus (= Aedes vittatus) and Stegomyia albopicta (= Aedes albopictus) (all: Diptera: Culicidae), from dengue‐endemic and non‐endemic areas of Rajasthan, India were compared. Construction and analyses of six 16S rRNA gene libraries indicated that Serratia spp.‐related phylotypes dominated all clone libraries of the three mosquito species from areas in which dengue is not endemic. In dengue‐endemic areas, phylotypes related to Aeromonas, Enhydrobacter spp. and uncultivated bacterium dominated the clone libraries of S. aegypti, F. vittatus and S. albopicta, respectively. Diversity indices analysis and real‐time TaqMan polymerase chain reaction assays showed bacterial diversity and abundance in the midguts of S. aegypti to be higher than in the other two species. Significant differences observed among midgut bacterial communities of the three mosquito species from areas in which dengue is and is not endemic, respectively, may be related to the vectorial capacity of mosquitoes to carry dengue viruses and, hence, to the prevalence of disease in some areas.     

Laboratory evaluation of predation rates of two native natural enemies on the exotic pest Bagrada hilaris

Laboratory studies were conducted to determine the consumption rates of two native predators found attacking the exotic invasive stink bug Bagrada hilaris (Burmeister) (Hempitera: Pentatomidae) in field plots in New Mexico, USA. Individual field‐collected adults of the spined soldier bug, Podisus maculiventris (Say) (Hempitera: Pentatomidae) and the soft‐winged flower beetle, Collops vittatus (Say) (Coleoptera: Melyridae), were provided daily with fixed numbers of different life stages of B. hilaris under controlled conditions. Consumption rates were recorded daily for ten consecutive days for a total of 20 adult P. maculiventris and 20 adult C. vittatus per prey life stage. For P. maculiventris, predation rates were obtained in relation to adult, third and fifth instar prey, and for C. vittatus for first, second and third instar prey. On average, predation on third and fifth instar B. hilaris nymphs by P. maculiventris was 0.6 ± 0.1 and 0.9 ± 0.1 per day respectively. Predation rates on adults were slightly higher (1.3 ± 0.1 per day), with female prey being consumed at a significantly higher rate than male prey when three mating pairs of B. hilaris were provided per day (0.8 ± 0.1 females per day vs. 0.5 ± 0.1 males per day). Collops vittatus adults provisioned daily with 20 first instar B. hilaris nymphs killed a mean total of 4.7 ± 0.4 and 9.3 ± 0.6 prey each day (for male and female beetles respectively), with only approximately half that number of prey being fully consumed. Partial consumption of prey by this species was also observed with second and third instar nymphs, but to a lesser degree. Female beetles consumed significantly more prey than did male beetles when fed first and third instar B. hilaris, but not when given second instar prey.     

Age estimation,growth rate and size at sexual maturity of tigerfish Hydrocynus vittatus from the Okavango Delta,Botswana

The aims of this study were to determine relative age, growth rate and size at maturity of tigerfish in the Okavango Delta as a basis for the development of a fisheries management plan. A total of 206 tigerfish Hydrocynus vittatus, collected by angling in August 2005,2006 and 2007, was assessed for sexual maturity and relative ages were estimated from 135 of these, using scales and whole and sectioned otoliths. Sectioned otoliths were the most appropriate method for ageing H. vittatus of up to 20 years old. Males were present in all relative age classes, proving that they do not disappear from the population at a young age, as previously thought. Males matured at 451 mm TL and females at 522 mm TL, corresponding to an approximate relative age of four years for both sexes. Males lived for up to 20 years, females for up to 16 years.     

3-Decanol in the haemolymph of the hermit crab Clibanarius vittatus signals shell availability to conspecifics

Hermit crabs with poor fitting shells are chemically attracted to dying gastropods and conspecifics where a shell may become available. For land hermit crabs, the shell cue is a volatile compound found in the haemolymph. Based on this knowledge, we tested the hypothesis that shell investigation behavior in aquatic hermit crabs, the ancestral predecessors of terrestrial hermit crabs, is also triggered by volatile cues. Volatile compounds from haemolymph of Clibanarius vittatus and Pagurus pollicaris and brachyuran decapod crustaceans were purged from a water-haemolymph solution, trapped in seawater and tested for induction of shell investigation behavior with juvenile C. vittatus. Only volatiles from C. vittatus haemolymph stimulated shell investigation. Volatile compounds were isolated from haemolymph by headspace solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and analyzed by coupled gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Two prominent compounds were identified, 3-decanol, which was unique to C. vittatus haemolymph, and 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, which was present in the haemolymph of all 4 crustacean species. In shell investigation bioassays, 3-decanol from C. vittatus haemolymph stimulated shell investigation behavior, while 2-ethyl-1-hexanol did not. In bioassays with synthetic 1-, 2-, 4-, and 5-decanol, shell investigation behavior was evoked by 1-decanol, 5-decanol and 3-undecanol. There was no response to 2- and 4-decanol. The response of C. vittatus to volatile shell cues supports the hypothesis that volatile cue detection evolved prior to the occupation of terrestrial niches by crustaceans.     

Geschlechtsdimorphismus beim Lautapparat des Knurrenden ZwergguramiTrichopsis pumilus Arnold (Anabantidae,Teleostei)

Zusammenfassung Trichopsis pumilus besitzt das gleiche Lautbildungssystem wieTrichopsis vittatus. Es bestehen jedoch einige wesentliche morphologische Unterschiede. Der grö\te Unterschied liegt darin, da\ Tonmuskulatur und Sehnen bei den Weibchen so stark rückgebildet sind, da\ jene mit grö\ter Wahrscheinlichkeit nicht zur Lautbildung befÄhigt sind.

---

Sexual dimorphism of the sound producing organ in the pygmy gourami (Trichopsis pumilus Arnold) (Anabantidae, Belontiidae)

Summary Trichopsis pumilus has the same system of sound production asTrichopsis vittatus but with morphological differents. As distinguished fromTrichopsis vittatus muscels and tendons of the sound producing mechanism in femals ofTrichopsis pumilus are very reduced. Therefore probable femals ofTrichopsis pumilus are not able to produce sounds.

---

ErklÄrung der Abkürzungen 1–12 Brustflossenstrahlen - C Cleithrum - f Frequenz - Map M. adductor profundus - Mas. M. adductor superficialis - P Schalldruck - Pr Processus des Brustflossenstrahles - Sp Sehnenpolster Mit Förderung des österreichischen Fonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung (Projekt Nr. 3591, Leitung Prof. Dr. F. Schaller)     

Der Bau des Lautapparates vom Knurrenden Gurami (Trichopsis vittatus Cuvier & Valenciennes) (Anabantidae,Belontiidae)

Zusammenfassung Das lautbildende Organ vonTrichopsis vittatus besteht aus einem mächtig entwickelten Anteil des M. adductor superficialis an der Innenseite des Cleithrum, der mit zwei Sehnen am 5. und 6. Brustflossenstrahl ansetzt, welche zu elastischen Polstern verdickt sind. Diese Sehnenpolster liegen über einer Erhebung, welche durch die Basis des 2. und 3. Flossenstrahles gebildet wird. Ausschaltungsexperimente zeigen, daß die Sehnenpolster während der Kontraktion des Tonmuskels über die Erhebung schnellen. Schneidet man den Tonmuskel durch, so hört die Tonbildung auf. Schneidet man eine der beiden Sehnen durch, so wird der doppelimpulsige Tonstoß einimpulsig.

---

Structure of the sound producing organ of the croaking Gourami (Trichopsis vittatus Cuvier & Valenciennes) (Anabantidae, Belontiidae)

Summary The sound producing organ ofTrichopsis vittatus consists of a very enlarged part of the M. adducor superficialis. It is found at the inside of the cleithrum, which is attached to the fourth and fifth pectoral fin ray by two tendons, thickened to elastic pads. These pads are situated above an elevation formed by the base of the second and third fin rays. In experiments it is demonstrated how the double-pulsed tone bursts are generated by the pads snapping over this elevation during the contraction of the sonic muscle. If the sonic muscle is cut, the sound production ceases. If one of the two tendons is cut, the former double-pulsed tone burst turns into a single-pulsed burst.

     

Description of alternative male reproductive tactics in a shell-brooding cichlid, Telmatochromis vittatus, in Lake Tanganyika

Telmatochromis vittatus (Cichlidae) is a Tanganyikan substrate brooder which spawns in the gastropod-shell nests of a cichlid, Lamprologus callipterus. We describe male reproductive tactics of T. vittatus in and around the shell nests, where males of various sizes were found. Based on utilization patterns of the shell nests, interactions among males, and spawning behaviors, males could be categorized into four types based on reproductive tactics and in order of body size: sneaker males, satellite males, territorial males and piracy males. Size range of males in tactic groups rarely overlapped. Territorial males defended shell nests harboring multiple females, but during pair-spawning they were occasionally taken over by large piracy males that visited several nests repeatedly. Small sneaker males darted to pair-spawning territorial males and might ejaculate sperm. Satellite males did not perform parasitic spawning but pair-spawned in a single shell outside the nests. Spawning of satellite males was infrequently parasitized. The largest gonado-somatic index (GSI) was found in sneaker males followed by piracy males, territorial males and satellite males, suggesting that gonadal investment of males using the four tactics may be consistent with intensity or risk of sperm competition.     

Divergence in size,but not in shape: variation in skull size and shape within Ommatotriton newts

Using a geometric morphometric approach, we explored the variation in skull size and skull shape in banded newts (genus Ommatotriton). The genus Ommatotriton is represented by two allopatric, genetically well‐defined species: Ommatotriton ophryticus and O. vittatus. Within each species, two subspecies have been recognised. The samples used in this study cover the geographical and genetic variation within each species. We found statistically significant variation in skull size between species and among populations within species. When corrected for size, there was no significant variation in shape between species. Our results indicate that the variation in skull shape within the genus Ommatotriton is almost entirely due to size‐dependent, allometric shape changes. The exception is the shape of the ventral skull in males. Males of O. ophryticus and O. vittatus significantly diverge in the shape of the ventral cranium. The ventral skull, more precisely the upper jaw and palate, is directly functionally related to feeding. In general, our results indicate that allometry is a significant factor in the morphological variation of banded newts. However, the divergence in the ventral skull shape of males indicates that sexual selection and niche partitioning may have influenced the evolution of skull shape in these newts.     

Light avoidance in Baikalian amphipods as a test response to toxicants

The dependence between the time of escape of Eulimnogammarus vittatus from light and toxicants in the medium has been studied. It has been shown that these amphipods display the most rapid response to light in pure Baikal water. Toxicants slow down the movement of E. vittatus in the dark. A similar effect has been observed during the experiments with heavy metals, detergents, and petroleum products. The results indicate a good prospect for using this reaction as a test response during the biological assay of toxic contamination with the help of E. vittatus.     

Reproductive investiment in the scorpion Centruroides vittatus

Among invertebrates, scorpions possess a relatively unique set of reproductive traits. The interrelationships of these traits may have important implications for life history theory, yet there have been few studies of these traits in scorpions. Our data indicate that larger female Centruroides vittatus produce more offspring and have a higher total litter mass than smaller females. There was, however, no significant relationship between offspring size and female or litter size. Mean offspring mass increased with increases in total litter mass and within litter variation in offspring size (coefficients of variation) decreased with increasing total litter mass. These results suggest that large female scorpions with a larger investment in reproduction produced more offspring that were more uniform in size, but not significantly larger, than small females with less investment. The fractional clutch principle and physiological and functional constraints on size and number of offspring are suggested as possible explanations for the relationships we found among offspring size, variation in offspring size and total investment in offspring in C. vittatus.     

Condition, length–weight and length–length relationships of the Asian striped catfish Mystus vittatus (Bloch, 1794) (Siluriformes: Bagridae) in the Mathabhanga River, southwestern Bangladesh

The present study describes the annual condition as well the length–weight (LWR) and length–length relationships (LLR) of the Asian striped catfish, Mystus vittatus (Bloch, 1794) (Siluriformes: Bagridae), an important fishery in the Mathabhanga River (SW Bangladesh). A total of 2438 specimens (3.60–9.60 cm standard length) used in this study was caught with traditional fishing gear from January to December 2004. Overall, the allometric coefficient b of the LWR was close to the isometric value (b = 3.058), although it suggested negative allometric growth for males (b = 2.959) whilst positive allometric growth for females (b = 3.134). The results further indicated that the LLRs were highly correlated (r² > 0.989, P < 0.001). The monthly gonadosomatic index showed that the reproductive period of M. vittatus began in April, and ended in August when the highest values of the Fulton's condition factor (K) indicated their recovery. These results will be useful for fishery managers to impose adequate regulations for sustainable fishery management not only in the Mathabhanga River of Bangladesh but also in neighbouring countries.     

Implications of the movement behaviour of African tigerfish Hydrocynus vittatus for the design of freshwater protected areas

African tigerfish Hydrocynus vittatus (n = 35) were tagged with external radio-transmitters in the Kavango River, Namibia, to determine whether freshwater protected areas could be an effective tool for the management and conservation of this species. They were manually tracked in the core study area of 33 km every c. 12 days from July–October 2016 to May 2017 for between 123 to 246 days. In addition, 14 extended surveys were carried out for up to 680 km to determine the total area use of the tagged individuals. Tigerfish displayed at least two behavioural patterns either having high site fidelity with shorter movements or using larger areas with longer movements. Twenty-three (66%) of the tigerfish had high site fidelity using an area of less than 33 km of river, whereas 12 tigerfish (34%) undertook long distance movements of up to 397 km upstream and 116 km downstream from their tagging locations. During the long-distance movements tigerfish crossed the territorial boundaries of Angola, Namibia and Botswana. Of the 35 fish that were monitored, 14 (40%) spent more than 80% of the monitored time in the 33 km study area and 18 (51%) stayed within the study area for at least 50% of the monitored time. These findings suggest that freshwater protected areas may be a useful management tool and we predict that a protected river area of 2–5 km river length could protect 25.9–34.6% of the population for at least 75% of the time whereas protection of 10 km river length could protect at least 50% of tigerfish for at least 75% of the time.     

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals and their toxicity assessment in Mystus species

This study was conducted on two native fish species namely Mystus vittatus and Mystus tengara inhabiting challenging environment of Yamuna River. The heavy metals concentrations in the river water were found to be as follows: Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu > Ni > Cr > Cd, all above the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The high metal pollution index in gill, liver, and kidney of M. vittatus was recorded compared to M. tengara. The pathology caused by the accumulation of heavy metals resulted significantly (p < 0.05) higher enzyme activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and creatinine kinase (CK) in M. tengara as compared to M. vittatus. However, albumin: globulin ratio was found to be below 0.8 in both fishes. Higher total leukocyte (TLC) (48.5 × 10³/mm³), lymphocytes (40%), respiratory burst activity (1.9), and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity (13.11 U/L) in M. vittatus reflect high immune response. In addition, chromosomal breakage study showed significantly (p < 0.05) low micronuclei frequency, lobed nuclei, and kidney-shaped nuclei (KSN) in M. vittatus. These results indicate that under the same challenging conditions M. vittatus have more capability of resistance and its continuous survival points towards its suitability to serve as a bioindicator than M. tengara.     

Priority effects of the early breeding fire salamander on the late breeding banded newt

Early breeding intraguild predators may have advantages over late breeding predators via priority effects; early breeding predators may reduce shared prey resources before late breeders appear and may also prey upon the late breeders. Here we show that predatory larvae of the late-breeding predatory banded newt, Triturus vittatus vittatus, occupy the same temporary pond toward the end of the developmental period of the early-breeding predatory fire salamander, Salamandra salamandra, resulting in a large size disparity between larvae of these two species while they co-occur. We conducted outdoor artificial pool experiments to assess priority effects of large larval Salamandra at the end of their larval development period, on recently hatched larval Triturus. We also assessed how artificial vegetation may influence larval Triturus performance in the presence or absence of Salamandra Salamandra, introduced into the experimental pools two weeks prior to the newt larvae, strongly reduced invertebrate prey abundance shared by these two predatory urodeles and with only a one week period of overlap, strongly reduced abundance of Triturus larvae. The artificial vegetation had only a small ameliorating effect on Triturus survival when Salamandra was present. Triturus size at metamorphosis (snout-tail length) was significantly larger in the Salamandra pools, presumably due to a combination of a strong “thinning effect” and greater vulnerability of smaller Triturus individuals to predation by Salamandra. Time to metamorphosis was not significantly affected by Salamandra. These results have conservation implications as T. v. vittatus is listed as highly endangered and may also explain the largely negative spatial association of the two species. Handling editor: K. Martens