Editing Smooth newt (section)

{{Short description|Species of amphibian}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2016}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Smooth newt
| image = Triturus_vulgaris_maennchen_cropped.jpg
| image_caption = Male during land phase
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = {{r|iucn}}
| genus = Lissotriton
| species = vulgaris
| authority = ([[Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], 1758)
| subdivision_ranks = Subspecies
| subdivision_ref = {{r|PabijanZielinski2017}}
| subdivision = 
*''L. vulgaris ampelensis'' {{small|([[Ion Eduard Fuhn|Fuhn]], 1951)}}
*''L. vulgaris meridionalis'' {{small|([[George Albert Boulenger|Boulenger]], 1882)}}
*''L. vulgaris vulgaris'' {{small|(Linnaeus, 1758)}}
| range_map = Lissotriton_vulgaris_distribution.svg
| synonyms =
48,{{r|Frost2020}} including:
*''Lacerta vulgaris'' {{small|Linnaeus, 1758}}
*''Salamandra exigua'' {{small|[[Josephus Nicolaus Laurenti|Laurenti]], 1768}}
*''Triton palustris'' {{small|Laurenti, 1768}}
*''Molge punctata'' {{small|[[Blasius Merrem|Merrem]], 1820}}
*''Triturus vulgaris'' {{small|[[Emmett Reid Dunn|Dunn]], 1918}}
}}

The '''smooth newt''', '''European newt''', '''northern smooth newt''' or '''common newt''' ('''''Lissotriton vulgaris''''') is a species of [[newt]]. It is widespread in [[Europe]] and parts of [[Asia]], and has been [[introduced species|introduced]] into [[Australia]]. Individuals are brown with a spotted underside that ranges in colour from orange to white. They reach an average length of {{cvt|8–11|cm|in|abbr=on}}; males are larger than females. The newts' skins are dry and velvety when they are living on land, but become smooth when they [[migration (ecology)|migrate]] into the water to breed. Males develop a more vivid colour pattern and a conspicuous skin seam (crest) on their back when breeding.

The smooth newt was originally described by [[Carl Linnaeus]] as a [[lizard]], and was then given different [[genus (biology)|genus]] names before the adoption of its current classification as a member of ''[[Lissotriton]]''. There are currently three accepted [[subspecies]] of smooth newt. Formerly, there were also four subspecies—all with more restricted ranges—that are now classified as separate species, because they have been found to be distinct genetically as well as in appearance: the [[Caucasian smooth newt]], the [[Greek smooth newt]], [[Kosswig's smooth newt]] and [[Schmidtler's smooth newt]]. Together with these four species and the [[Carpathian newt]], the smooth newt forms what is known as a [[species complex]]: some of the species [[hybrid (biology)|hybridise]] with each other.

For most of the year, smooth newts live on land, are mostly [[nocturnal]], and hide during the day. They can adapt to a wide range of natural or semi-natural [[habitat]]s, from forests at field edges to parks and gardens. They feed mainly on [[invertebrate]]s such as insects and earthworms and are themselves eaten mainly by fish, birds and snakes. Between spring and summer, they breed in [[pond]]s or similar bodies of water. Males court females with a ritualised underwater [[courtship display|display]]. Females lay their eggs on water plants, and larvae hatch after 10 to 20 days. The larvae develop for around three months before [[metamorphosis|metamorphosing]] into terrestrial juveniles, at which point they become known as [[eft]]s. They reach maturity after two to three years, and the adults live for up to 14 years.

The smooth newt is abundant over much of its range and is classified as a species of [[least concern]] by the [[International Union for Conservation of Nature]] (IUCN). It has been negatively affected by habitat [[habitat destruction|destruction]] and [[habitat fragmentation|fragmentation]] and by the introduction of new species of fish. Like other European amphibians, the smooth newt has now been listed as a protected species by the [[Berne Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats|Berne Convention]].