Some striking phenomena were noticed in Triturus vulgaris 

 (L.). FUHN (1951) described an endemic race from Transylvania - 

 T, vulgaris ampelensis , But intermediate populations between 

 this and the nominate race were found as well (STUGREN and 

 POPOVICI, 1961a), In addition T. vulgaris borealis from Sweden, 

 based on the description given by GISLEN and KAURI (1959), 

 closely resemble ampelensis . I have examined a few specimens 

 from the Central Ukraine which also have some traits of 

 ampelensis . No definite statement can be given as yet, because 

 of the lack of sufficient information for statistical tests. 

 In Triturus cristatus (LAUR.), STUGREN and POPOVICI (I960) have 

 found an intermediate population between the nominate race and 

 T. cristatus dobrigicus (KIR. ). 



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It is apparent that our data do not contradict the theory 

 of geographical races. This theory does not exclude such 

 phenomena as gradual transitions between geographical races, 

 intermediate populations, and the existence of species that 

 do not split into geographical races. The theory does 

 emphasize that geographical races are the main forms in which 

 variability appears. But, I believe, the very numerous facts 

 concerning the existence of intermediate populations allow us 

 to have certain doubts on the validity of geographical races 

 within some species. Some races are described and differenti- 

 ated only by means of statistical methods, by average values 

 (averages of certain measurable characteristics). But are 

 statistical criteria sufficient to form the basis for differ- 

 entiation of geographical races? Some distinguished zoologists, 

 like CAIN (1958) and MAYR (1957), consider as valid both races 

 and species differentiated only by average values or statistical 

 indexes. Other zoologists, for instance PFAFF (1935) and 

 WERMUTH (1955), feel that a race, like a species, must be dis- 

 tinctive enough to be recognized by the eye (" nach dem Augen- 

 schein"). I think that populations which differ from one 

 another only by typical biometrical values should not be con- 

 sidered as geographical races. Only when a population bears 

 certain qualitative characteristics, not subjected to intense 

 variability, would I regard it as a valid subspecies. My 

 opinion is that only such features are useful to be differential 

 ones between races which are not expressed by statistical values, 

 but by classical morphological diagnoses. 



6. 



