Ichthyosaura is a
genus of
newts in the family
Salamandridae, found in Europe. The only extant species is the
alpine newt (Ichthyosaura alpestris), although two fossil species are also known.[3]
It contains one
extant species: the alpine newt (Ichthyosaura alpestris).[2] Two fossil species from the early-mid
Miocene of Germany, Ichthyosaura wintershofi and Ichthyosaura randeckensis, have also been referred to this genus,[1][5] although the assignment of I. randeckensis has been challenged.[6]I. randeckensis is presently tentatively retained in Ichthyosaura.[3]
The alpine newt was long included in Triturus along with most other European newts. As this genus was found to contain several distinct
evolutionary lineages, the alpine newt was split off as genus Mesotriton in 2004.[7] However, the name Ichthyosaura was published earlier and is now accepted as the
valid genus name for the alpine newt, while Mesotriton is a
junior synonym.[4]
^García-París, M.; Montori, A.; Herrero, P. (2004). Amphibia: Lissamphibia. Fauna Iberica. Vol. 24. Madrid: Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas.
ISBN8400082923.