Abstract1_29 (Hasumi)

Kakegawa, M., and M. Hasumi: Individual identification of Hynobius kimurae Dunn, 1923 by a complex pattern of dorsal yellow spots. Herpetology Notes (Germany, International) 17: 73-79, February 2024. HN Archive.

Abstract: A long-term mark-recapture study of a lotic-breeding and externally fertilising salamander Hynobius kimurae denoted the effectiveness of the use of a complex pattern with numerous dorsal yellow spots in the whole body (but not as one of body parts) for identification accuracy of individuals by visual inspection. We used a non-invasive photo-identification method for distinguishing 640 individuals from November 2005 to April 2020 for 16 years. We searched for pigmentation and colour patterns of dorsal yellow spots in the whole body including several distinctive spots at the head, at the torso near the hindlimbs, at the dorsolateral sides, at the tail and at the forelimbs or hindlimbs. A complex pattern of dorsal yellow spots was stable between a metamorphosing larva and a metamorphosed juvenile within an individual. Ontogenetically unique and constant pigmentation of dorsal yellow spots and the use of their complex pattern for non-invasive photo identification allowed us to distinguish 185 individuals recaptured over the study duration. Using a superior software Wild-ID, we then compared the results of our visual inspection with those of a computer-assisted system of a complex pattern recognition algorithm for digital images. The Wild-ID was useful for identifying a complex pattern with numerous dorsal yellow spots in the whole body of H. kimurae despite having a slender body.