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Caucasian smooth newt
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<p>The Caucasian smooth newt or Caucasian newt (<i>Lissotriton lantzi</i>) is a <a href="/facts/Newt/2KNMYeSn">newt</a> species found in the <a href="/facts/Caucasus/sE8P8Ejg">Caucasus</a> region, from the <a href="/facts/Don_river/a1cjNMXQ">Don river</a> mouth in Russia to Georgia, and potentially Armenia, Azerbaijan, extreme northeastern Turkey and Iran. : 235 It occurs from sea level to 2,500 m (8,200 ft) elevation. </p><p><a href="/facts/Willy_Wolterstorff/zFHr4zKH">Willy Wolterstorff</a> described the species in 1914 as <i>Triton vulgaris</i> subsp. <i>typica</i> forma <i>lantzi</i>, a <a href="/facts/Form_(zoology)/phkeMfuD">form</a> of the <a href="/facts/Smooth_newt/6mmyUXCL">smooth newt</a> (now <i>Lissotriton vulgaris</i>), and it was later raised to <a href="/facts/Subspecies/4L9jFacF">subspecies</a> rank. After genetic data had suggested the smooth newt was a <a href="/facts/Species_complex/u6qEMdRQ">complex</a> of distinct <a href="/facts/Lineage_(evolution)/wIChE4CL">lineages</a>, Dubois and Raffaëlli, in 2009, recognised several subspecies, including the Caucasian smooth newt, as distinct species. This was followed by subsequent authors. </p><p>The species differs from other species in the smooth newt species complex mainly in the male <a href="/facts/Secondary_sex_characteristic/lV2Fl3uA">secondary characters</a> during breeding season. The dorsal crest in males reaches 1 mm or more in height and has an almost spine-shaped denticulation. The tail gradually elongates into a fine thread but has no distinct filament. The body is slightly square-shaped but has no dorso-lateral folds. Toe flaps are moderately developed.: 235 </p><p><a href="/facts/Paedomorphic/t8hK3CIv">Paedomorphic</a> adults have been recorded for the Caucasian smooth newt. </p><p>The species's <a href="/facts/Conservation_status/loUe4uwg">conservation status</a> has not yet been evaluated separately from the smooth newt by the <a href="/facts/IUCN/QwV8JXup">IUCN</a>. Since its range is much smaller than that of the smooth newt species complex as a whole, it is likely to be more vulnerable than previously estimated. In Armenia, Azerbaijan and northeastern Turkey, it is potentially extinct. It is listed in the Red Data Books of Russia and the majority of its North Caucasus provinces and autonomous republics. Destruction of aquatic habitats, deforestation, collection for the pet trade and the introduction of fish were cited as threats. </p>