The Chinese fire belly newt (''Cynops orientalis'') is a small () black newt, with bright-orange aposematic coloration on their ventral sides. ''C. orientalis'' is commonly seen in pet stores, where it is frequently confused with the
Japanese fire belly newt (''C. pyrrhogaster'') due to similarities in size and coloration. ''C. orientalis'' typically exhibits smoother skin and a rounder tail than ''C. pyrrhogaster'', and has less obvious parotoid glands.
Toxicology
Chinese fire belly newts are mildly poisonous and excrete toxins through their skin. Consisting primarily of
tetrodotoxin
Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a potent neurotoxin. Its name derives from Tetraodontiformes, an order that includes pufferfish, porcupinefish, ocean sunfish, and triggerfish; several of these species carry the toxin. Although tetrodotoxin was discovere ...
s, newts of the genus ''Cynops'' pose a medically significant threat if enough toxins are consumed, and toxins may cause numbness or irritation on skin contact.
Gallery
File:Cynops orientalis - Chinesischer Feuerbauchmolch.jpg, Underside
Cynops orientalis.JPG, Underwater
Chinese_Fire_Bellied_Newts.JPG, A pair
Cynops orientalis biofluorescence - 41598 2020 59528 Fig2-bottom (cropped).png, Biofluorescence
See also
* ''
Daazvirus cynopis''
References
Further reading
* Chang, Mangven L. Y. 1936. Contribution à l'étude Morphologique, Biologique et systématique des Amphibiens urodèles de la Chine. Libraire Picart, Paris, 156 p.
{{Taxonbar, from=Q28021355
Cynops
Amphibians of China
Endemic fauna of China
Aposematic species
Taxa named by Armand David
Amphibians described in 1873