''Ichthyosaura'' is a

genus Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...

newt A newt is a salamander in the subfamily Pleurodelinae. The terrestrial juvenile phase is called an eft. Unlike other members of the family Salamandridae, newts are semiaquatic, alternating between aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Not all aqua ...

s in the family

Salamandridae Salamandridae is a Family (biology), family of salamanders consisting of true salamanders and newts. Salamandrids are distinguished from other salamanders by the lack of rib or costal grooves along the sides of their bodies and by their rough ski ...

, found in Europe. The only extant species is the

alpine newt The alpine newt (''Ichthyosaura alpestris'') is a species of newt native to continental Europe and Introduced species, introduced to Great Britain and New Zealand. Adults measure and are usually dark grey to blue on the back and sides, with an ...

(''Ichthyosaura alpestris''), although two fossil species are also known.

Taxonomy

"''Ichthyosaura''", Greek for "fish lizard", refers to a

nymph A nymph (; ; sometimes spelled nymphe) is a minor female nature deity in ancient Greek folklore. Distinct from other Greek goddesses, nymphs are generally regarded as personifications of nature; they are typically tied to a specific place, land ...

-like creature in

classical mythology Classical mythology, also known as Greco-Roman mythology or Greek and Roman mythology, is the collective body and study of myths from the ancient Greeks and ancient Romans. Mythology, along with philosophy and political thought, is one of the m ...

. It contains one

extant Extant or Least-concern species, least concern is the opposite of the word extinct. It may refer to: * Extant hereditary titles * Extant literature, surviving literature, such as ''Beowulf'', the oldest extant manuscript written in English * Exta ...

species: the alpine newt (''Ichthyosaura alpestris''). Two fossil species from the early-mid

Miocene The Miocene ( ) is the first epoch (geology), geological epoch of the Neogene Period and extends from about (Ma). The Miocene was named by Scottish geologist Charles Lyell; the name comes from the Greek words (', "less") and (', "new") and mea ...

of Germany, '' Ichthyosaura wintershofi'' and '' Ichthyosaura randeckensis'', have also been referred to this genus, although the assignment of ''I. randeckensis'' has been challenged. ''I. randeckensis'' is presently tentatively retained in ''Ichthyosaura''. 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. 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 In taxonomy, the scientific classification of living organisms, a synonym is an alternative scientific name for the accepted scientific name of a taxon. The botanical and zoological codes of nomenclature treat the concept of synonymy differently. ...

Biology

The genus is gonochoric and reproduces sexually.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q11844306 Newts Taxa named by Pierre André Latreille Amphibians of Europe Amphibian genera