Kosswig's smooth newt
{{Short description|Species of amphibian}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Kosswig's smooth newt
| image = Lissotriton_kosswigi_male.jpg
| image_caption = Male during breeding season{{r|WielstraBozkurt2015}}
| status = VU
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| genus = Lissotriton
| species = kosswigi
| authority = (Freytag, 1955){{r|Freytag1955}}
| range_map = Lissotriton_kosswigi_distribution.svg
| range_map_caption = range in northwestern Anatolia
| synonyms_ref = {{r|Frost2020}}
| synonyms =
Triturus vulgaris kosswigi {{small|Freytag, 1955}}
}}
Kosswig's smooth newt (Lissotriton kosswigi) is a newt species found in northwestern Anatolia, east of the Bosphorus.{{r|1=WielstraBozkurt2015|2=WielstraCanestrelli2018|3=Sparreboom2014|p3=234}}
Günther Erich Freytag described the species in 1955 as Triturus vulgaris kosswigii, a subspecies of the smooth newt (now Lissotriton vulgaris).{{r|Freytag1955}} After genetic data had suggested the smooth newt was a complex of distinct lineages,{{r|BabikBranicki2005}} Dubois and Raffaëlli, in 2009, recognised several subspecies, including Kosswig's smooth newt, as distinct species.{{r|DuboisRaffaelli2009}} This was followed by subsequent authors.{{r|Frost2020|WielstraCanestrelli2018|PabijanZielinski2017}} Molecular phylogenetics suggested that the closest relative of Kosswig's smooth newt is the Greek smooth newt (Lissotriton graecus) from the Balkans.{{r|PabijanZielinski2017}}
The species differs from other species in the smooth newt species complex mainly in the male secondary characters during breeding season.{{r|WielstraCanestrelli2018}} The male dorsal crest is less than 1 mm high, but high at the tail base, has smooth edges, and ends in a long filament. The well-developed dorso-lateral folds give the body a square shape. The toe flaps are well developed.{{r|Sparreboom2014|p=234}}
Paedomorphic adults have been reported for Kosswig's smooth newt.
Due to a limited range, a fragmented population and a continuous decline to the extent and quality of its habitat, the species is listed as vulnerable.
References
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{{Taxonbar|from=Q3242644}}
Category:Endemic fauna of Turkey
Category:Amphibians described in 1955
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