52 
University of California Publications in Zoology [Vol. 27 
The waters used by Triturus for spawning include creeks, ponds, 
and reservoirs (pi. 3, figs. 5, 6). The establishment of water storage 
reservoirs has been a boon to the species in many parts of the State, 
as these places assure a permanent supply of water, thus permitting 
large numbers of larvae to complete their metamorphosis. 
The breeding season of this newt varies greatly in different parts 
of its range. At the Thornhill Pond eggs have been found in late 
December, whereas in southern California spawning has occurred as 
late as May. The following table gives the available data bearing on 
spawning. 
Data on the Spawning of Triturus torosus at Thornhill Pond, Three Miles 
Southeast of Berkeley, Alameda County, California 
January 15, 1913 many males in water 
January 18, 1913 males outnumber females 25 to 1 
January 25, 1913 eggs in abundance (none on January 22) 
January 26, 1913 all the adults except 3 males had disappeared 
January 16, 1914 eggs in abundance 
January 31, 1914 various stages from freshly laid eggs to newly hatched 
larvae; embryos 8-10 mm. long, predominated 
February 13, 1914 a few eggs laid during past few days 
December 29, 1921 first eggs being deposited; about 15 males and 10 females 
noted 
January 6, 1922 laying in progress; many males and a few more females 
than on December 29 
February 21, 1922 freshly laid eggs last seen on this date 
March 14, 1922 two males, no females seen 
December 25, 1922 first eggs deposited a day or two previously 
January 5, 1923 numbers of eggs and many females engaged in laying; 
males preponderating 
February 1, 1923 bulk of eggs laid prior to this date 
February 18, 1923 no females noted during previous two weeks 
March 5, 1923 only two males, no females, no larvae 
February 2, 1924 first eggs for the season (pond had been examined almost 
daily during preceding two weeks) 
The time at which this species spawns in the creeks of the Coast 
Ranges is unknown; but on June 18 (1922) there were numerous 
males with swollen cloacae and many plump -bodied females in a creek 
10 miles northwest of Ukiah, Mendocino County. One female taken 
captive there deposited a few eggs overnight. 
The season in southern California is later than in the vicinity of 
Berkeley. Thus at Sierra Madre on April 3, 1909, males in the water 
were contending for females, and males with the cloacae swollen were 
noted on April 11 and 25, 1908, and April 1 and 10, 1909, whereas 
this condition had disappeared by May of other years (Camp, MS). 
Females collected at Sierra Madre on April 5, 1908, contained large 
