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The Nonindigenous Occurrences section of the NAS species profiles has a new structure. The section is now dynamically updated from the NAS database to ensure that it contains the most current and accurate information. Occurrences are summarized in Table 1, alphabetically by state, with years of earliest and most recent observations, and the tally and names of drainages where the species was observed. The table contains hyperlinks to collections tables of specimens based on the states, years, and drainages selected. References to specimens that were not obtained through sighting reports and personal communications are found through the hyperlink in the Table 1 caption or through the individual specimens linked in the collections tables.

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Common name: Japanese Fire-bellied Salamander

Synonyms and Other Names: Japanese fire belly newt

Taxonomy: available through www.itis.gov

Identification: The Japanese fire belly salamander is rough bodied with brown-black skin and an orange to red belly spotted with black (Okada, 2000).

Size: 8-15 cm total body length

Native Range: C. pyrrhogaster is native throughout Japan, with the exception of Hokkaido and
the southern Ryukyu Islands (T. Johnson, pers. comm.).

Alaska	Hawaii	Puerto Rico & Virgin Islands	Guam Saipan

Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUCs) Explained
Interactive maps: Point Distribution Maps

Means of Introduction: The Massachusetts introductions were released or escaped pets and the Florida introduction was intentionally released by an animal dealer (King and Krakauer, 1966; Cardoza et al., 1993).

Status: The introductions in Florida and Massachusetts did not result in an established populations (Cardoza et al., 1993)

Impact of Introduction: Since the salamanders did not become established, no impacts have been documented.

Remarks: In Japan, C. pyrrhogaster are found in ponds, rice fields, swamps and streams. They eat aquatic insects and tadpoles. The more terrestrial juveniles can be found under logs, rocks and leaf piles (Okada, 2000).

References: (click for full references)

Cardoza, J. E., G. S. Jones, T. W. French, and D. B. Halliwell. 1993. Exotic and Translocated Vertebrates of Massachusetts. Fauna of Massachusetts Series 6. Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Westborough, Massachusetts. 106 pp.

Johnson, T. - Caudata Culture.

King, [F.] W., and T. Krakauer. 1966. The exotic herpetofauna of southeast Florida. Quarterly Journal of the Florida Academy of Sciences 29(2):144-154.

Livingunderworld.org. 2002. Japanese Fire Belly Newt (Boie, 1826)(online). Available at URL: http://www.livingunderworld.org/caudata/database/salamandridae/cynops/pyrrhogaster/.

Okada, S. 2000. Herps Guide in Hioshima Japan (online). Available at URL: http://www3.ocn.ne.jp/~herpsgh/cynops.html.

Other Resources:
CalPhotos

Livingunderworld.org

Herps Guide in Hiroshima, Japan

Caudata Culture - Cynops pyrrhogaster

Author: McKercher, E.

This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.