I'd like to know if GCN detected in the pond on repeated nocturnal surveys remain in the pond between surveys or if they temporarily emigrate onto land before returning on subsequent nights, and if the latter what proportion of aquatic phase GCN temporarily emigrate compared to remain in the pond over the day?
This is as distinct to general migration trends, e.g. early season influx and late season exodus from ponds.
I expect this could be determined e.g. drift fence and pit fall studies where GCN are released on the opposite side of the barrier after capture and influx/outflow of GCN are monitored throughout the season. (There seem to be many more instances where captured GCN are not re-released (e.g. translocations) or where data is summarised annually for between year monitoring).
The closest reference I have so far is Latham et al 1996 who state that 13% of captures move between pond and terrestrial habitat within the breeding period, and that immigration is correlated with temperature and emigration with rainfall, but it doesn't explicitly refer to diurnal migration.
The lack of references to the contrary perhaps suggests that there isn't a meaningful temporary diurnal migration between ponds and terrestrial habitat - can anyone support or refute this suggestion?
Hey Paul!
Please find attached the PhD thesis of Deborah McNeill - her study focused on testing the effectiveness of newt translocations in Scotland - some results show a prevalence of diurnal migration timing for juveniles of three species.
I need to re-read it carefully though, but I hope it adds some new information to your search.
Cheers
Hello Paul,
Working with Triturus cristatus here in NW Russia for many years I have never faced with such facts. This species known as being fully aquatic in terrarium and can be migrating on/from land areas but never in the wild. Usually during the breeding season they stay in water for all the period leaving it constantly on land without any possiblity to get back. Juvenils are living on land untill they reach maturity.
i suggest such behavior is not typical for our populations. But it is much better to ask Spartak Litvinchuk who's a real expert in this species-complex (as well other our natives).
Paul
I've only worked on smooth newt but over 3 years of dietary studies at 2 ponds
...I never recorded any terrestrial prey items in the stomachs of the newts.
German research showed that Northern Crested Newts that there is migration between ponds during the breeding season which of course takes place on land in between, but perhaps you already checked that:
The Crested Newt. A Dwindling Pond-Dweller
Robert Jehle, Burkhard Thiesmeier and Jim Foster
Laurenti-Verlag and the BHS, 152 pp
Hi Paul: I know this is an old study, but maybe it would be of assistance to your question: www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/11250009209386682
Hi Paul: A great question! I am also interested to hear the answer.
Regarding terrestrial food of Great Crested Newts, it seems to be earthworms, especially in damp evenings when earthworms surface for mating.
Regarding in-out in-out behaviour it happens in artificial conditions in aquaria where GCN climb aboard wet floating polystyrene islands and after minutes or hours launch themselves back into the water.
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