Developing a Genetic Toolkit to Save Endangered Newt

The Lao warty newt is found only in a small region in northern Laos. This salamander species is threatened by human activities, including burn-based agriculture, its use as food and medicine, and by the international pet trade. The research team, comprised of researchers based in Laos and the United States, will design a cost-effective molecular toolkit based on genetic data that will help inform reintroduction efforts of captive-bred and confiscated animals. Data will provide a clearer picture of whether Lao warty newts from different places are breeding with each other, the genetic diversity of wild populations, population trends, and whether individuals living in different environments have unique adaptations needed for survival in the wild. The team hopes the new toolkit will also help identify geographic origin of confiscated newts so they can be returned to where they were originally collected.