Cynops pyrrhogaster
Cynops pyrrhogaster
(Japanese Fire-bellied Salamander)
Amphibians-Salamanders
Exotic
Collection Info
Point Map
Species Profile
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© 2004 Henk Wallays - Regents of the University of California Copyright Info
Cynops pyrrhogaster (Boie, 1826)
Common name: Japanese Fire-bellied Salamander
Synonyms and Other Names: Japanese fire belly newt
Taxonomy: available through www.itis.govITIS logo

Injurious: This species is listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as injurious wildlife.

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

Nonindigenous Occurrences:

Table 1. States with nonindigenous occurrences, the earliest and latest observations in each state, and the tally and names of HUCs with observations†. Names and dates are hyperlinked to their relevant specimen records. The list of references for all nonindigenous occurrences of Cynops pyrrhogaster are found here.

StateFirst ObservedLast ObservedTotal HUCs with observations†HUCs with observations†
FL196419641Florida Southeast Coast
MA193219792Charles; Massachusetts-Rhode Island Coastal

Table last updated 3/28/2025

† Populations may not be currently present.
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.

Author: McKercher, E.
Revision Date: 8/12/2015

 Citation Information:
McKercher, E., 2025, Cynops pyrrhogaster (Boie, 1826): U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL, https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx?SpeciesID=157, Revision Date: 8/12/2015, Access Date: 3/29/2025

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.

Disclaimer:

The data represented on this site vary in accuracy, scale, completeness, extent of coverage and origin. It is the user's responsibility to use these data consistent with their intended purpose and within stated limitations. We highly recommend reviewing metadata files prior to interpreting these data.

Citation information: U.S. Geological Survey. [2025]. Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database. Gainesville, Florida. Accessed [3/29/2025].

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Disclaimer:

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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