A singular case of early-stage long-distance dispersal of the smooth newt, Lissotriton vulgaris (Linnaeus, 1758) (Amphibia, Caudata)

Abstract

To date, the global introduction of alien amphibians and reptiles has likely been facilitated by the expanding plant nursery trade. Here, we report in detail a singular case of unintentional introduction of Lissotriton vulgaris in Sicily. A newt in the final stages of its larval development was found in a private garden pond in north-western Sicily, where aquatic plants from a nursery in Veneto (northeastern Italy) had been introduced two months earlier. The analysis of the mithochondrial markers ND2 and ND4 revealed a shared haplotype between the Sicilian newt and a sample from Treviso, the province of the putative source. The timing of the plant introduction to the garden pond suggests that the translocation occurred during the newt’s egg or early larval stage. Although based on a single case study, our results provide clear evidence of amphibian egg/early stage translocation and their ability to survive as contaminants in aquatic plants. This underscores the need to strengthen prevention and early detection programs in the plant trade and nursery management supply chain, involving institutions, regulatory bodies, traders, as well as buyers and hobbyists.