Zur Fortpflanzung sowie zum Paarungsverhalten der Gebirgsmolche, Gattung Euproctus (Gene), im Terrarium, unter besonderer Berucksichtigung von Euproctus asper (Duges, 1852)

Thiesmeier, B.; Hornberg, C.

This is a report on the reproduction and the mating behaviour in captivity of the three species of the genus Euproctus. For the last 5 years E. asper has been bred regularly as far as the F2-gene-ration. Eggs were layed mainly in May and June. One female can deposit at least 34 eggs. Copulations were observed throughout the year with slight accumulations in Autumn and Spring. Sexual maturity occurs at 2,5 to 3 years for males and at 4 years for females. The maximum age is believed to be more than 20 years for E. asper. The mating behaviour is described, competition between males at mating time is reported. A male can disturb and even sever copulations by aggressive behaviour. The mating behaviour of E. platycephalus and E. montanus is also described in detail and compared with E. asper. Altogether 8 different phases of mating behaviour are differentiated in this genus. The mating behaviour of E. montanus and E. platycephalus show more similarities to each other than compared with E. asper.