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Breeding-migration patterns and reproductive dynamics of two syntopic newt species (Amphibia, Salamandridae) at a temporary pond in southern Greece

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Abstract

Amphibian breeding-migrations are strongly influenced by environmental conditions. Furthermore, an individual’s breeding-migration pattern might be influenced by their sex, size, physiological state, and/or fecundity. From 2012 to 2014, we collected mark–recapture data for two syntopic alpine (Ichthyosaura alpestris) and smooth (Lissotriton vulgaris) newt populations in southern Greece (the southern limit of their distribution), as well as morphometric data for individuals, and data on environmental factors. Using these data, we studied the reproductive dynamics of these populations and assessed whether individual traits and environmental covariates influence their breeding-migration patterns. Both species followed a similar temporal migration pattern, regardless of individual traits. Migration to the breeding site was influenced by water availability, but not by ground temperature, rainfall or photoperiod. Migration from the breeding site was not influenced by water availability, but was triggered by increasing water temperatures. Our findings corroborate the few available studies of European newt populations occurring near the southern edge of their distribution. However, compared to numerous studies of northern European newt populations, our results suggest distinct breeding-migration patterns, as well as contrasting effects of environmental factors on these migration patterns. Based on current climate change projections, the breeding period of southern newt populations breeding in temporary ponds could be severely reduced.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank George Megremis and Christos Papathanasiou for their valuable help during field work, the personnel of the Management Body of Chelmos - Vouraikos National Park for providing permissions as well as their facilities and assistance during sampling, Kostas Sotiropoulos for helpful discussions and suggestions and Giorgos Kokkoris for helping with the preparation of the figures. We also thank three anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments and suggestions that greatly improved our manuscript.

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  1. Department of Biology, University of Patras, 26500, Patras, Greece

    Onoufrios Mettouris, Eva Pitta & Sinos Giokas

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, 1678, Nicosia, Cyprus

    Eva Pitta

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  1. Onoufrios Mettouris
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Mettouris, O., Pitta, E. & Giokas, S. Breeding-migration patterns and reproductive dynamics of two syntopic newt species (Amphibia, Salamandridae) at a temporary pond in southern Greece. Hydrobiologia 819, 1–15 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-018-3577-0

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