Cloacal gaping in Lissotriton helveticus

A two-female test with two palmate newts in courtship water illustrates that the female showing following behavior under influence of SPF courtship pheromones has a clearly extended cloaca. <br

Pinwheel behavior without interlocked forelimbs in Pleurodeles waltl

The male nudges the female during first contact. The female (recognized by her thicker belly) immediately responds with pinwheel behavior, so the couple circles around without interlocked forelimbs until sperm transfer takes place.<br

Female thanatosis in Pleurodeles waltl

One of the strategies that females use to escape from an amplexus is thanatosis. The female feigns death until the male gives up. <br

Pinwheel behavior with interlocked forelimbs in Pleurodeles waltl

After alternating ventral amplexus with cloacal imposition, the couple initiates pinwheel behavior, while one of the female’s fore- limbs is still held by the male’s forelimb. This courtship behavior usually ends in a successful sperm transfer