Genetic Scorecard Indicator - Palmate Newt

The palmate newt has a large continuous distribution throughout much of Great Britain. Each population is estimated to be large with high standing diversity. The species habitat preferences, and its tolerance of breeding sites which would be unsuitable for other amphibians, have likely cushioned it from some of the losses sustained by those species. However, with the lack of genetic data, there is no way to know for sure if there are high fragmentations or declines within existing populations (Turner et al., 2022).

Population definitions:

Populations are defined based on biogeographic evidence. There is a wide and near continuous distribution of palmate newts in Great Britain. To allow for local adaptation, populations this has been assessed based on the four zones that form the basis of UK provenance zones.

Ne500: The proportion of populations that have an effective population size of more than 500. 

• Proportion of populations with Ne > 500 in Scotland = 2/2
• Proportion of populations with Ne > 500 in UK = 4/4

PM: Proportion of populations that existed in 2000 that still exist in 2025.

• Proportion of populations maintained in Scotland = 2/2
• Proportion of populations maintained in UK = 4/4

Functional variation

Currently, with the lack of genetic data, it is impossible to be certain whether there has been loss of functional diversity in this species. However, given its wide range and phenotypic plasticity, loss of functional diversity seems unlikely. 

Divergent lineages

There is no genetic evidence that could inform knowledge of divergent lineages in Great Britain. While Elfering et al. (2024) found little variation outside of Iberia, given the range edge nature of the British population, the presence of divergent lineages cannot be ruled out. 

Hybridisation/Introgression

Hybridization of the species with the smooth newt (LIssotriton vulgaris) has been documented in Britain and elsewhere in Europe (Beebee and Griffiths, 2000; Miralles et al., 2023). However, these are rare and there is no evidence of maladaptive introgression. 

Low turnover - constraints on adaptive opportunities

Palmate newts can produce over 200 eggs in a season and are quick to colonise newly created ponds (O’Brien et al., 2021) leading to little risk of low turnover. 

Summary of genetic conservation status, encompassing risk and efficacy of current mitigating actions e.g.

Scotland

• Risk: Negligible
• Mitigation: Not required

Great Britain/UK

• Risk: Negligible
• Mitigation: Not required

Overall Genetic Health status explanation

Overall, the palmate newt has a negligible risk of loss of genetic diversity within all portions of its range in the UK. 

In situ genetic threat level

• In situ Risk for Scotland: Negligible
• In situ Risk for UK: Negligible

With the current, limited knowledge there appears to be a low risk of loss of genetic diversity within the listed area.

Confidence in in situ threat level

• Confidence score for Scotland: Medium
• Confidence score for UK: Medium

Despite the lack of genetic studies, this is a widespread species.

There are no current collections of palmate newts in the UK outside of private collections, with no representation of current UK genetic diversity. 

Palmate newts are protected under law from live sale and pet trade under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. There are no other legislation or conservation actions in place for this species currently, although it benefits from pond creation schemes and quickly colonises green infrastructure such as Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) ponds (Rae et al., 2019). 

Population

Demographic

N pops assessed/monitored in Scotland = 2/2
N pops assessed/monitored in UK = 4/4

Genetic

N pops assessed/monitored in Scotland = 0/2
N pops assessed/monitored in UK = 0/4