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Kurdistan newt facts for kids

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Kurdistan newt
Shows a Kurdistan spotted newt with many bright yellow spots on a pitch black body among sparse vegetation and in crystal clear shallow water at the edge of a stream. The newt appears to have larger orange spots on its front arms.
Neurergus derjugini in Kavat stream, near Ravansar city, Kermansah province, Rojhalat.
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Genus:
Neurergus
Species:
derjugini
Synonyms
  • Rhithrotriton derjugini Nesterov, 1916
  • Rhithrotriton derjugini var. microspilotus Nesterov, 1916
  • Neurergus microspilotus (Nesterov, 1916)

The Kurdistan newt (scientific name: Neurergus derjugini) is a special type of salamander. It is also known as the Kordestan newt or yellow-spotted mountain newt. This amazing creature belongs to the Salamandridae family, which includes newts and true salamanders.

You can find the Kurdistan newt in the mountains of Kurdistan. This area is located in western Iran and northeastern Iraq. These newts are known for their bright yellow spots on a dark body.

There are two main types, or subspecies, of the Kurdistan newt. They are called Neurergus derjugini derjugini and Neurergus derjugini microspilotus. The microspilotus type is sometimes called the Avroman Dagh newt.

Discovery and Naming

The Kurdistan newt was first officially described in 1916. A scientist named Pyotr Nesterov found and studied these newts. He found them in the Surkev Mountains.

Nesterov also described the microspilotus subspecies. He noticed it had slightly different yellow spots. The name derjugini honors Konstantin Deryugin, who was a collector.

Habitat and Conservation

The Kurdistan newt lives in small streams high up in the mountains. They are found at elevations between 1,300 and 1,865 meters (about 4,265 to 6,119 feet) above sea level. They need clean, clear water to survive.

Sadly, the Kurdistan newt is in danger. It is listed as Critically Endangered. This means it faces a very high risk of disappearing forever.

Here are some of the main threats to these newts:

  • Droughts: Long periods without rain dry up their streams.
  • Water Extraction: People taking too much water from streams for farming or other uses.
  • Pollution: Water getting dirty from chemicals or trash.
  • Pet Trade: Some people illegally collect these newts to sell as pets. This removes them from their natural homes.
  • Climate Change: Changes in global weather patterns are making their habitats smaller. This makes it harder for them to find suitable places to live.

Many populations of the Kurdistan newt are very small. Protecting their mountain streams is super important to help these unique creatures survive.

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