A review of the Palmate Newt Triturus helveticus (Razoumoski, 1789) in Essex
JONATHAN CRANFIELD
14, Wiltshire Road, Eastleigh, Hampshire S053 3EZ
Abstract
The county distribution of the Palmate Newt Triturus helveticus (Razoumoski, 1789) is reviewed,
collating all available records from local recorders and comparing these records with the national
herpetofauna dataset for Essex. These records show that the species is local and uncommon in
Essex. It is absent from many districts and accounts for only 9% of Essex amphibian records collected
between 1970 and 2002. The review supports recent proposals to include the Palmate Newt on the
Red Data list for Essex.
The stronghold for the species is Epping Forest. The newt is also found around Rochford, Castle
Point, Colchester and Brentwood. The distribution of Palmate Newts in Essex is compared to that of
the Smooth Newt Triturus vulgaris (Linnaeus, 1758) and Great Crested Newt Triturus cristatus
(Laurenti, 1768), illustrating the comparative rarity of the different species in the county.
The factors that may influence the distribution of the Palmate Newt in Essex are discussed in relation
to environmental conditions influenced by geology and terrestrial habitats. The Palmate Newt occurs
in ponds surrounded by either woodland or heathland. The species is reported to prefer slightly
more acidic conditions than the two other native newt species found in Britain. In Essex such acidic
conditions are found on the more freely draining gravelly ridges.
Introduction
The Palmate Newt (see Plate 13) is the smallest of the three newt species found in Essex, growing up
to 9.5cm. in length (Griffiths 1996). The male is usually smaller than the female and during the
breeding season (March to May) has distinctive dark webbing on the toes of its hind legs, giving rise
to the species' common name.
The Palmate Newt is considered to be 'ven local and uncommon' in Essex (Plant 1983). It seems to
be absent in the north-west (e.g. the Uttlesford District). The Essex stronghold of the Palmate Newt
is reported to be Epping Forest (Scott 1998). Palmate Newts are recorded from several ponds often
in the company of either Smooth or Great Crested Newts or both. These ponds include Fairmead
Pond. Wake Valley Pond, Oak Plain Pond, Lost Pond and the Field Centre Pond (Scott loc. cit.;
Arnold 2002). Palmate Newts have also been recorded from ponds in Hockley Woods (Cranfield
pers. Obs. 2000), Beckney Wood (Payne 1981), sec Plate 14, and Hadleigh Great Wood (Bowdrey
1988; Cranfield pers. obs. 2001; Terry pers.obs. 2002).
The Palmate Newt is considered to have specific requirements regarding the chemistry of the water
in which it breeds (Frazer 1983). These conditions arc perhaps unusual in Essex (Bowdrey loc. cit.).
The Palmate Newt is considered to be tolerant of slightly acid water in its breeding ponds and often
prefers to live within shadier, cooler and nutrient deficient pools associated with either alpine/mon-
tane environments, or in the case of lowland Britain, woodland and heathland.
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 20 (2003)
153