Iberian Ribbed Newt - Exposes Its Ribs in Defense.
- bioworld090
- Aug 26, 2023
- 3 min read
Image Credit: belgianchocolate
The Iberian ribbed newt (Pleurodeles waltl), also known as gallipato and Spanish ribbed newt, is a species of newt famous for its unique and unusual defensive response. It is commonly found in countries like Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
The Iberian ribbed newt is capable of growing up to 30 cm in length in the wild and 20 cm long in captivity. The dorsal (upper) side is dark gray, and the ventral (lower) side is light gray in color. On the lateral sides of the trunk are present a series of orange spots through which this animal pulls out its concealed weapons.
HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION
The Iberian ribbed newt is an amphibian therefore, it is capable of living both in water and on land. However, it prefers the aquatic habitat more than the terrestrial habitat and rarely leaves the water. It usually lives in water bodies with cool, quiet and deep waters such as ponds, cisterns, wells, etc., where it feeds on insects, mollusks, worms and tadpoles. The geographic range of the Iberian ribbed newt includes Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
THE UNIQUE DEFENSE MECHANISM
The Iberian ribbed newt packs an unusual weapon that it uses in defense. As already mentioned, the trunk of this animal has 8-10 orange spots on its lateral sides. Through these orange spots, the animal pushes its ribs out and uses them as spikes against a threat.
When threatened, the Iberian ribbed newt takes a defensive stance by either flattening or arching its body. During this, the vertebrae that are usually slightly curved get straightened and the ribs that normally point backward are rotated forwards or anteriorly anywhere between an angle of 27°–92°. This anterior rotation of the ribs causes them to protrude through the orange spots present on the skin.
Image Credit: vertebradosibericos.org
Along with the “spikes”, the gallipato also secretes milky, viscous and toxic secretions from its neck, body and tail.
THE EFFECT OF “SPIKY” DEFENSE
The spikes that this newt creates by puncturing its skin make it difficult for the predator to ingest or create discomfort in the mouth when handled.
The spikes not only affect the predator but also affects the newt itself. The spots through which the spikes protrude do not contain any holes or openings. So, every time spikes are created, it punctures the skin and creates a small wound. But thanks to the special regenerative ability of this animal that easily heals its wounds. In addition to that, it can also regenerate its lost limbs, tails, organs, etc.
Several small wounds would also increase the possibility of infection and self-intoxication (when toxic secretions are considered). However, there are several possible adaptations and abilities of this newt that prevents infection and self-intoxication.
The tip that protrudes through the skin is covered by a layer known as periosteum which possibly acts as a physical barrier against microbes when the tip of the ribs is exposed. The Iberian ribbed newt, like many other amphibians, protects itself from microbial infections by releasing antimicrobial peptides (group of amino acids) from specialized cutaneous glands.
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