MSc Student (Adv. Günter Gollmann)
Unit for Theoretical Biology, Department of Evolutionary Biology
University of Vienna

Abstract

The Triturus dobrogicus and T. carnifex populations are fragmented and declining near Vienna. Triturus dobrogicus has a population in the National Park Donau Auen. Triturus carnifex, on the other hand, is mostly found in the Vienna woods. The mating season of the two species lasts from April to June. Larvae can be found from May to late September somewhat dependent on the weather conditions in the summer. The morphological differences between larvae of closely related species such as Triturus dobrogicus and T. carnfex are not very well studied which makes distinguishing them difficult. Vienna is part of a contact zone of the two species. The goal of this project is to find species specific morphological parameters by comparing colour patterns and body proportions. Furthermore, geometric morphometric will be used to find differences in body shapes of larvae. To solve the question, whether larvae can be determined by body proportions and colour patterns, different pools around Vienna will be examined to find larvae in different stages of development.