[Herpetology • 2018] Tylototriton ngarsuensis • A New Species of Crocodile Newt Tylototriton (Caudata: Salamandridae) from Shan State, Myanmar

Tylototriton ngarsuensis  

Grismer, Wood, Quah, Thura, Espinoza, Grismer, Murdoch & Lin, 2018

  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4500.4.5 

Abstract

A phylogenetic taxonomic analysis of a monophyletic subgroup of the salamandrid genus Tylototriton revealed that a newly discovered population from Ngar Su Village, 1 km south of Ywangan, Shan State, Myanmar is a new species and most closely related to T. shanorum from approximately 80 km to the west in the vicinity of Taunggyi, Shan State. Tylototriton ngarsuensis sp. nov. differs from other closely related species of Tylototriton on basis of varying combinations of characteristics associated with it shorter head, larger size, rib nodule morphology, and overall drab, very dark, coloration, along with its genetic differentiation. Tylototriton ngarsuensis sp. nov. also appears to breed later in the year than most other species. Unfortunately, this species like many other Asian newts, is being harvested for the pet and medicinal trade and given its restricted distribution, this could pose a serious threat to its long-term survival.

Keywords: Reptilia, Integrative taxonomy, Tylototriton, Shan State, Ywangan, new species, Myanmar, conservation, pet trade

FIGURE 4. Tylototriton ngarsuensis sp. nov. from Ngar Su Village, Ywangan Township, Taunggyi District, Shan State, Myanmar at 1212 m in elevation.
A. Gravid female holotype LUSHC 13762. B. Adult male paratype LSUHC 13764. C. Adult male paratype LSUHC 13763. D. Stage 44 larva (Grosse 2013) from lot LSUHC 13761 (SVL = 30 mm).

FIGURE 1. Distribution of Tylototriton ngarsuensis sp. nov., T. shanorum, and Tylototriton sp. nov. from Shan State, Kachin State, and Sagaing Region, Myanmar.

Tylototriton ngarsuensis sp. nov. 

Suggested common name: Ywangan Crocodile Newt

Etymology. The specific epithet ngarsuensis is a toponym in reference to Ngar Su Village, the type locality. 

  L. Lee Grismer, Perry L. Jr. Wood, Evan S. H. Quah, Myint K. Thura, Robert Espinoza, Marta S. Grismer, M. L. Murdoch and Aung Lin. 2018. A New Species of Crocodile Newt Tylototriton (Caudata: Salamandridae) from Shan State, Myanmar (Burma). Zootaxa.  4500(4); 553-573. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4500.4.5

researchgate.net/publication/328366656_A_new_species_of_Tylototriton_from_Shan_State_Myanmar

[Herpetology • 2018] Phylogenetic Surveys on the Newt Genus Tylototriton sensu lato (Salamandridae, Caudata) reveal Cryptic Diversity and Novel Diversification Promoted by Historical Climatic Shifts

Figure 1: Sampling localities (A) and Maximum likelihood (ML) tree obtained based on mtDNA data of Tylototriton s.l. and relatives (B). Sample number 1–108 refer to Table S1. Five clades (I, II, III, IV and V) of the genus were denoted as different colors. Bootstrap supports (bs) resulted from ML analyses and posterior probability (pp) resulted from Bayesian inference (BI) method were labeled on major nodes. Node supports ML1 and BI1 were resulted from analyses on mtDNA data, while ML2 and BI2 were from analyses on four-gene concatenated data. Black: bs > 70% or pp > 0.95, grey: bs = 50–70% or pp = 0.85–0.95, white: bs < 50% and pp < 0.85.

in Wang, Nishikawa, Matsui, et al​., 2018.

  DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4384 

Abstract

Global climatic transitions and Tibetan Plateau uplifts are hypothesized to have profoundly impacted biodiversity in southeastern Asia. To further test the hypotheses related to the impacts of these incidents, we investigated the diversification patterns of the newt genus Tylototriton sensu lato, distributed across the mountain ranges of southeastern Asia. Gene-tree and species-tree analyses of two mitochondrial genes and two nuclear genes revealed five major clades in the genus, and suggested several cryptic species. Dating estimates suggested that the genus originated in the early-to-middle Miocene. Under different species delimitating scenarios, diversification analyses with birth-death likelihood tests indicated that the genus held a higher diversification rate in the late Miocene-to-Pliocene era than that in the Pleistocene. Ancestral area reconstructions indicated that the genus originated from the northern Indochina Peninsula. Accordingly, we hypothesized that the Miocene Climatic Transition triggered the diversification of the genus, and the reinforcement of East Asian monsoons associated with the stepwise uplifts of the Tibetan Plateau promoted the radiation of the genus in southeastern Asia during the Miocene-to-Pliocene period. Quaternary glacial cycles likely had limited effects on speciation events in the genus, but mainly had contributions on their intraspecific differentiations.

Figure 1: Sampling localities (A) and Maximum likelihood (ML) tree obtained based on mtDNA data of Tylototriton s.l. and relatives (B).
Sample number 1–108 refer to Table S1. Five clades (I, II, III, IV and V) of the genus were denoted as different colors. Bootstrap supports (bs) resulted from ML analyses and posterior probability (pp) resulted from Bayesian inference (BI) method were labeled on major nodes. Node supports ML1 and BI1 were resulted from analyses on mtDNA data, while ML2 and BI2 were from analyses on four-gene concatenated data. Black: bs > 70% or pp > 0.95, grey: bs = 50–70% or pp = 0.85–0.95, white: bs < 50% and pp < 0.85.

in Wang, Nishikawa, Matsui, et al​., 2018.

  DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4384

Conclusions: 

Our findings provided evidence for the profound influences of historical climate shifts especially associated with the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau on the diversification of animals occurring in the southeastern Asia. The results basically confirmed the reports on plant lineages, such as Rheum (Sun et al., 2012), Lepisorus (Wang et al., 2012a; Wang et al., 2012b), Juniperus (Mao et al., 2010) and Isodon (Yu et al., 2014), and on animal groups, such as Chiastocheta Pokorny, 1889 (Anthomyiidae, Diptera, Insecta; Espíndola, Buerki & Alvarez, 2012) and spiny frogs (Dicroglossidae, Anura, Amphibia; Che et al., 2010). Yet the present study further supplied some other indications. Primarily, although diversification of the newt group was promoted by the climatic shifts, several factors, for example, niche limits and their intrinsic low dispersal capacity, might have contributed to their Pleistocene rate-slowdown diversification. In addition, this study provided a putative “complete” species tree for Tylototriton s.l. to date. The inclusion of many putative cryptic species in the diversification analyses seems to be effective in finding diversification models of the group. But at present, wild populations of Tylototriton s.l. show a significant decline due to many reasons, such as climate changes, human capture and habitat deterioration. Further deep investigations of undetected cryptic lineages might supply the basic requirement for disclosing “true” diversification history of the taxa.

Bin Wang, Kanto Nishikawa, Masafumi Matsui, Truong Quang Nguyen, Feng Xie, Cheng Li, Janak Raj Khatiwada, Baowei Zhang, Dajie Gong, Yunming Mo, Gang Wei, Xiaohong Chen, Youhui Shen, Daode Yang, Rongchuan Xiong and Jianping Jiang​. 2018. Phylogenetic Surveys on the Newt Genus Tylototriton sensu lato (Salamandridae, Caudata) reveal Cryptic Diversity and Novel Diversification Promoted by Historical Climatic Shifts. PeerJ. 6:e4384.  DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4384

[Herpetology • 2018] A Biogeographic and Ecological Perspective to the Evolution of Reproductive Behaviour in the Family Salamandridae

Kieren, Sparreboom, Hochkirch & Veith, 2018. 

   DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2018.01.006

Highlights

• The family Salamandridae is of Western Palearctic origin and started to diversify in the Late Cretaceous.

• The common ancestor was oviparous, mated on land without amplexus and probably showed a pin wheel spermatophore transfer.

• Colonization took place once to the Nearctic and twice to Eastern Asian realms.

• Changes in habitat type are not significantly correlated with changes in mating characters.

Abstract

Amphibians have a complex reproductive behaviour, which shows the highest diversity among tetrapodes. The family Salamandridae, distributed across the entire Holarctic, is one of the most diverse groups of extant salamanders comprising 114 species in 21 genera. The family has a remarkable diversity of courtship modes, amplexus and sperm transfer. It is often hypothesised that this diversity has evolved in adaptation to a specific mating and/or breeding habitat. We test this hypothesis based upon a phylogenetic reconstruction using the complete mitochondrial genome sequences of 45 Salamandridae species, representing all existing genera. We used ancestral character state reconstruction methods and geographic range models and applied relaxed Bayesian molecular clock models to discuss the results in a temporal framework of Salamandridae evolution. Our results show that the family Salamandridae started to diversify in the Late Cretaceous (ca. 87 mya) and is of Western Palearctic origin. Ancestral character state reconstruction predicts that its common ancestor was oviparous, mated on land without amplexus and probably showed a pin wheel spermatophore transfer, which is still found in the Italian endemic Salamandrina terdigidata. Our results suggest that several colonization of continents with subsequent radiations took place, once to the Nearctic and twice into Eastern Asian realms. However, these events were only in one case associated with a change in mating behaviour (dorsal amplexus in Nearctic newts). Around the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary (K-Pg boundary) several Salamandridae lineages further diverged, again with no obvious changes in mating behaviour. Overall, there is no significant signal for mating character evolution being caused by changes in habitat type, with only a slight tendency that changes in mating habitat might have led to changes in the type of sperm transfer which in turn was associated with changes in the presence or absence of amplexus.

Keywords: Mitogenomics; Bayesian molecular dating; geographic range; mating behaviour; ancestral character state reconstruction; coevolution

Sarah Kieren, Max Sparreboom, Axel Hochkirch and Michael Veith. 2018. A Biogeographic and Ecological Perspective to the Evolution of Reproductive Behaviour in the Family Salamandridae. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. In Press.   DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2018.01.006

[Herpetology • 2017] Tylototriton anhuiensis • A New Species of the Genus Tylototriton (Urodela: Salamandridae) from the Southern Dabie Mountains in Anhui Province, China

 Tylototriton anhuiensis

Qian, Sun, Li, Guo, Pan, Kang, Wang, Jiang, Wu & Zhang, 2017

 Asian Herpetological Research. 8(3)  || ahr-journal.com 

Abstract 

A new species of the genus Tylototriton is described, from Yuexi county, Anhui province, in the south of the Dabie Mountains. It is based on morphological and molecular analysis. The new species is identified as belonging to the Tylototriton asperrimus group and shares a number of similarities with T. wenxianensis, T. broadoridgus and T. dabienicus. The diagnostic characteristics of the new species are as follows: the head length is greater than the width of the head; bony ridges on the head are prominent and necked-in; the distal digit ends, ventral digits, peripheral area of the cloaca and the tail’s lower edge are orange. The result from the molecular analysis of the genus Tylototriton (including the type specimen of the new species) based on three mitochondrial genes (ND1, ND2 and CYTB) indicated that the new species was close to T. wenxianensis, T. dabienicus, and T. broadoridgus, but formed an independent clade. This result was consistent with the morphological analysis above, which supports the theory that the population distributed in the south of the Dabie Mountains, namely in from Yuexi county, Anhui province, represented a distinct species, Tylototriton anhuiensis sp. nov.

Keywords: new species; Tylototriton anhuiensis sp. nov.; southern Dabie Mountains; taxonomy; morphology; molecular analyses

Figure 5 Photos of Tylototriton anhuiensis sp. nov..
(upper) Dorsal view of T. anhuiensis sp. nov.; (lower) dorsal view of the head and trunk. 

  

Tylototriton anhuiensis sp. nov.

Diagnosis: the new species has a series of morphological characteristics different from other members of the genus Tylototriton: 1) the head length is greater than the width of the head; 2) the bony ridges on the head are notable and necked-in; 3) the tail length is less than the snout-vent length; 4) the ventral tail fin fold extends to the cloacal posterior margin; 5) the distal digit ends, ventral digits, peripheral area of cloaca and the tail’s lower margin are orange; 6) relative length of toes: 3>4>2>5>1.

Etymology: the name of the new species is derived from its current distribution range in the southern Dabie Mountains in Anhui province. The suggested English name is the Anhui Knobby Newt.

Lifu Qian,  Xiaonan Sun, Jiaqi Li, Weibo Guo, Tao Pan, Xing Kang, Hui Wang, Jianping Jiang, Jun Wu and Baowei Zhang. 2017. A New Species of the Genus Tylototriton (Amphibia: Urodela: Salamandridae) from the Southern Dabie Mountains in Anhui Province. Asian Herpetological Research. 8(3); 151-164. ahr-journal.com/en/oa/DArticle.aspx?type=view&id=20170301

 ahr-journal.com/Upload/PaperUpLoad/42205d91-544a-408f-ad4c-bdd8ec2a197a.pdf

   

[Paleontology • 2014] Lyciasalamandra antalyana gocmeni • A New Subspecies of Lyciasalamandra antalyana (Amphibia: Salamandridae) from the Lycian Coast, Turkey

Lyciasalamandra antalyana gocmeni 

Akman & Godmann, 2014

 (a) Male from the type locality, Kırkgözhan, Yağca; (b) male, (c) female, and (d) juvenile from Kızılseki. 

Abstract

A new subspecies of the Lycian salamander Lyciasalamandra antalyana is described from Yağcavillage (Antalya province) and Burdur province on the Lycian Coast, Turkey. It is distinguished from the nominotypical form by its dorsal colouration, multivariate morphometrics, and mitochondrial molecular markers.

Key words. Urodela, Lyciasalamandra antalyana gocmeni ssp. n., 16SrDNA gene, Turkey.

Figure 2.  Lyciasalamandra antalyana gocmeni(a) Male from the type locality, Kırkgözhan, Yağca; (b) male, (c) female, and (d) juvenile from Kızılseki.  

Bahadir Akman and Olaf Godmann. 2014. A New Subspecies of Lyciasalamandra antalyana (Amphibia: Salamandridae) from the Lycian Coast, Turkey. Salamandra. 50(3);125-132 · 

http://www.salamandra-journal.com/index.php?option=com_docman&Itemid=76

ResearchGate.net/publication/267270522_A_new_subspecies_of_Lyciasalamandra_antalyana_Amphibia_Salamandridae_from_the_Lycian_Coast_Turkey

[Paleontology • 2016] Phosphotriton sigei • Synchrotron Analysis of A ‘Mummified’ Salamander (Vertebrata: Caudata) from the Eocene of Quercy, France

Figure 4. Three-dimensional reconstruction of the skeleton of Phosphotriton sigei gen. et sp. nov. (B), scaled to the same length as other Eurasian urodeles: a European plethodontid, Hydromantes italicus Dunn, 1923 (A), and two salamandrids, Hypselotriton orientalis (David, 1873) (C) and Salamandra salamandra (Linnaeus, 1758) (D).   

DOI: 10.1111/zoj.12341 

Abstract

An incomplete ‘mummy’ from the Phosphorites du Quercy (presumed Eocene) was identified as a salamander during the 19th century. The specimen has now been computed tomography (CT) scanned, and this revealed the incomplete skeleton (with perfectly preserved bones) and soft tissues (lung). The fossil represents a new, well-characterized taxon. Despite the absence of the skull, several features allow a phylogenetic analysis. The fossil belongs to pseudosaurian caudates; it is tentatively assigned to the Salamandridae, although affinities with Plethodontidae cannot be definitely ruled out.

Keywords: exceptional preservation; Lissamphibia; Phosphorites du Quercy; phylogeny; Salamandridae; skeleton; tomography; Urodela

Systematic Paleontology

Caudata Fischer von Waldheim, 1813

Pseudosauria Blainville, 1816

?Treptobranchia Frost, Grant, Faivovich et al., 2006

?Salamandridae Goldfuss, 1820

Phosphotriton gen. nov.

Etymology: Greek ϕωσϕόρος, phosphorus, in reference to the nature of the sediment; triton, a frequent suffix in the genus names of salamanders.

Phosphotriton sigei sp. nov.

Holotype: An incomplete ‘mummified’ body of a salamander (MNHN.F.QU17755).

Diagnosis: A non-elongate, lunged caudate amphibian referred to Pseudosauria, based on the presence of a median process on the ischium, clearly separated para- and diapophyses on trunk vertebrae, spinal nerves exiting intravertebrally in caudal vertebrae, and in lacking articulated ribs in the caudal region. Tentatively referred to Salamandridae on the basis of having a paired sacral rib, a median notch in the posterior border of the neural arch, neural spines low on trunk vertebrae, neural spines present on caudal vertebrae, a bony lamina connecting para- and diapophyses, and spinal nerves exiting intravertebrally in posterior trunk vertebrae. Differs from other Pseudosauria by the presence of an anterior interzygapophyseal ridge, a dorsal alar process extending between the parapophysis and prezygapophysis and amphicoely of centrum, an association of characters that is unique within the clade.

Figure 4. Three-dimensional reconstruction of the skeleton of Phosphotriton sigei gen. et sp. nov. (B),
scaled to the same length as other Eurasian urodeles: a European plethodontid, Hydromantes italicus Dunn, 1923 (A), and two salamandrids, Hypselotriton orientalis (David, 1873) (C) and Salamandra salamandra (Linnaeus, 1758) (D).

DOI: 10.1111/zoj.12341

Type locality: Unknown locality of the Phosphorites du Quercy, south-western France.

Horizon: Likely Eocene (late Middle or Late Eocene).

Etymology: After Bernard Sigé, one of the main contributors of the Quercy campaigns.

......

Jérémy Tissier, Jean-Claude Rage, Renaud Boistel, Vincent Fernandez, Nicolas Pollet, Géraldine Garcia andMichel Laurin. 2015. Synchrotron Analysis of A ‘Mummified’ Salamander (Vertebrata: Caudata) from the Eocene of Quercy, France. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 177(1); 147–164.   DOI:   10.1111/zoj.12341

ResearchGate.net/publication/282604228_Synchrotron_analysis_of_a_mummified_salamander_(Vertebrata_Caudata)_from_the_Eocene_of_Quercy_France

[Herpetology • 2016] Triturus anatolicus • Description of A New Species of Crested Newt, previously subsumed in Triturus ivanbureschi (Caudata: Salamandridae)

 Anatolian Crested Newt |  Triturus anatolicus 

Wielstra & Arntzen, 2016 
 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4109.1.7

Abstract

Multilocus molecular data play a pivotal role in diagnosing cryptic species (i.e. genetically distinct but morphologically similar species). A multilocus phylogeographic survey has provided compelling evidence that Triturus ivanbureschi sensu lato comprises two distinct gene pools with restricted gene flow. We conclude that this taxon had better be treated as two distinct (albeit morphologically cryptic) species. The name T. ivanbureschi should be restricted to the western species, which is distributed in western Asiatic Turkey plus the south-eastern Balkan Peninsula. No name is as yet available for the eastern species, which is distributed in northern Asiatic Turkey. We propose the name Triturus anatolicus sp. nov. for the eastern species and provide a formal species description.

Keywords: gene flow, introgression, phylogeny, Triturus anatolicus sp. nov., Triturus karelinii, Amphibia

Distribution. The distribution encompasses Asiatic Turkey south of the Black Sea, reaching up to c. 200 kilometers inland (usually less), but not into inner Anatolia. To the west the new species reaches the Bosphorus at the northern side of the Marmara Sea. On the southern side of the Marmara Sea it meets T. ivanbureschi sensu stricto, east of Lake Ulubat and west of the city of Bursa. The two species form a hybrid zone here (Wielstra et al., submitted). To the east the new species reaches the town of Yomra, just east of the city of Trabzon. The nearest known Triturus localities further east are from the extreme NE of Turkey, over 150 km away, and probably concern T. karelinii sensu stricto (Wielstra et al., 2013a). An outline of the distribution of the new species is provided in Fig. 1. A database of distribution records is provided in Wielstra et al. (2014b).

Etymology. The specific epithet reflects the distribution of the new Triturus species. Triturus anatolicus sp. nov. is endemic to Anatolia. It is the only Triturus species to which this applies. It should be noted that the range of T. ivanbureschi sensu stricto covers western Anatolia (Wielstra et al., 2013a; Wielstra et al., submitted) and the range of T. karelinii sensu stricto probably protrudes into northeastern Anatolia (Wielstra et al., 2010).

Proposed vernacular name. We propose to use the vernacular name Anatolian Crested Newt for T. anatolicus sp. nov. This name highlights its status as an Anatolian endemic. We suggest to use the vernacular name Balkan Crested Newt for T. ivanbureschi sensu stricto (rather than Balkan-Anatolian Crested Newt previously applied to T. ivanbureschi sensu lato). Although T. ivanbureschi sensu stricto also partially occurs in Anatolia, the main part of its range is in the Balkan Peninsula.

Conclusion

We have taken a cautious approach in revising the taxonomy of T. karelinii sensu lato. We first split the group into T. karelinii sensu stricto and T. ivanbureschi sensu lato and preferred to await a detailed analysis of the putative hybrid zone between the two candidate species within T. ivanbureschi sensu lato before considering whether further taxonomic change was warranted (Wielstra et al., 2013b). By applying a next-generation sequencing protocol for Triturus (Wielstra et al., 2014a) to a detailed sampling in and around the putative hybrid zone (Wielstra et al., submitted) we could confirm the existence of an as yet undescribed cryptic species in T. ivanbureschi sensu lato. This gave us the confidence to describe T. anatolicus sp. nov. in the present paper. Our studies on Triturus illustrate how ‘shallow genomics’ (Zilversmit et al., 2002), in which a comprehensive but tractable portion of the total genome is employed to approximate evolutionary history, can be a driving force in taxonomy. As yet no diagnostic morphological characters are known to distinguish the three species comprising T. karelinii sensu lato. This raises the question: are the three crested newt species truly cryptic, or have they not been studied closely enough? Considering that previous morphological studies have mainly focused on the species meeting in the Balkan Peninsula rather than T. karelinii sensu lato (Arntzen, 2003) we suspect the latter. A future morphological study, using the genetic results as a guidance, should prove illuminating.

Wielstra, B. and Arntzen, J.W. 2016. Description of A New Species of Crested Newt, previously subsumed in Triturus ivanbureschi (Amphibia: Caudata: Salamandridae). Zootaxa. 4109(1); DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4109.1.7

Wielstra, B., S. n. Litvinchuk, B. Naumov, N. Tzankov and J. w. Arntzen. 2013. A Revised Taxonomy of Crested Newts in the Triturus karelinii Group (Amphibia: Caudata: Salamandridae), with the Description of A New Species. Zootaxa. 3682(3): 441–453. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.3682.3.5

http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2013/f/zt03682p453.pdf

[Herpetology • 2016] Pachytriton wuguanfui • A New Species of the Genus Pachytriton (Caudata: Salamandridae) from Hunan and Guangxi, southeastern China

Pachytriton wuguanfui  

 Yuan, Zhang & Che. 2016 

Abstract

Despite recent descriptions of multiple new species of the genus Pachytriton (Salamandridae), species richness in this China-endemic newts genus likely remains underestimated. In this study, we describe a new species of Pachytriton from northeastern Guangxi and southern Hunan, southeastern China. Both molecular analyses and morphological characters reveal that the new species can be distinguished from its congeners. The mitochondrial gene tree identified the new lineage highly divergent (uncorrected p-distance > 5.8 % by mitochondrial gene) from currently recognized species and placed it as the sister species of P. xanthospilos and P. changi. Furthermore, a nuclear gene haplotype network revealed a unique haplotype in the new populations. Statistical species delimitation using Bayes factor strongly supported the evolutionary independence of the new species from the closely-related P. xanthospilos. Morphologically, the new species is characterized by a uniformly dark brown dorsum without bright orange dots or black spots; irregular orange blotches on the venter; tips of fingers and toes orange on the dorsal side; moderately developed webs on the side of digits; absence of costal grooves between the axilla and groin; and widely open vomerine tooth series.

Keywords: Amphibia, Amphibians, cryptic diversity, Bayes factor species delimitation, Pachytriton wuguanfui sp. nov.

Zhi-Yong Yuan, Bao-Lin Zhang and Jing Che. 2016. A New Species of the Genus Pachytriton (Caudata: Salamandridae) from Hunan and Guangxi, southeastern China. Zootaxa. 4085(2);

http://mapress.com/j/zt/article/view/zootaxa.4085.2.3

[Herpetology • 2012] Pachytriton xanthospilos • A New Species of Pachytriton (Caudata: Salamandridae) from the Nanling Mountain Range, southeastern China

 Pachytriton xanthospilos 

Wu, Wang & Hanken, 2012  

Abstract 

New species of amphibians are being reported at an astonishingly fast rate. These include some that have been known to the commercial pet trade for years but have not been formally described due to uncertain origin. The distinctive phenotype of “Pachytriton B” among the Chinese stout newts (also known as paddle-tailed newts) is one such example. Through examination of museum specimens, we locate a population from Mt. Mang within the Nanling Mountain Range with morphology and coloration similar to Pachytriton B. Molecular phylogenetic analyses strongly suggest that this population and Pachytriton B belong to the same species, which differs from congeners morphologically and chromatically and is described here as a new species. This species is characterized by a large and stout body, uniformly light brown dorsum, and orange spots or blotches that extend ribbon-like along the dorsolateral sides of the body. A mitochondrial genealogy suggests that the new species is the sister taxon to the group (P. brevipes + P. feii). Morphologically, this species is significantly stouter than P. feii and has significantly longer limbs than P. brevipes. 

Key words: Chinese stout newt; salamander; mitochondrial genealogy; principal-components analysis; Pachytriton xanthospilos sp. nov.

Yunke WU, Yuezhao WANG and James HANKEN. 2012. New Species of Pachytriton (Caudata: Salamandridae) from the Nanling Mountain Range, southeastern China. Zootaxa. 3388: 1–16. 

http://hankenlab.oeb.harvard.edu/files/hankenlab/files/wu_et_al_2012_zootaxa.pdf?m=1431541420

[Herpetology • 2015] Tylototriton himalayanus • A New Species of the Genus Tylototriton (Urodela: Salamandridae) from Eastern Himalaya

Tylototriton himalayanus 

Khatiwada, Wang, Ghimire, Vasudevan, Paudel & Jiang, 2015

Figure 5: Habitat at the type locality of Tylototriton himalayanus sp. nov. in Mai Pokhari, Illam district, Mechi, Nepal (elevation of 2110 m).

Abstract

 A new species of the genus Tylototriton is described from eastern Himalaya based on molecular and morphological comparisons. The new species is diagnosable from the closely-related species by having light brown colouration in dorsal region in life, flat and blunt snout, greatly separated dorsolateral bony ridges on head and straightthick tailfin. In addition to head morphology, the new species is also morphologically distinguishable from its closely related species Tylototriton shanorum by having 16 dorsal warts and average smaller Snout Vent Length (SVL). 

Keywords: Tylototriton himalayanus sp. nov., eastern Himalaya, morphology, molecular phylogeny, taxonomy

Figure 5: Habitat at the type locality of Tylototriton himalayanus sp. nov. in Mai Pokhari, Illam district, Mechi, Nepal (27°0'25" N 87°55'48" E at an elevation of 2110 m).

Etymology: The specific epithet is derived from the current distribution range of the species in the eastern Himalaya.

Distribution and natural history: Most specimens were collected from permanent and temporary ponds in the Illam District of Nepal (Figure 5). The habitats are characterized as the subtropical hill forest and area is dominated by scattered vegetation, for example, Schima wallichii, Castonopsis indica, Casttonopsis tribuloides, Albizzi sp., Sauraria nepalensis, Rubus ellipticus and Eupatorium adenophorum. Anders et al. (1998) reported the distribution of the new species in five places in the Illam District of Nepal with elevation ranging from 1 100 m to 2 120 m. They also checked the previous record by Shrestha (1988) in Dhankuta District but did not find the species. The distribution of new species is currently known only from the Illam District of Nepal and in Darjeeling District of India (details provided in Nag and Vasudevan 2014). The salamanders are more terrestrial in non-breeding seasons (from October to February) and found hiding under the logs, bushes and stones and come to the breeding ponds in early March or April soon after heavy monsoonal showers (also see Schleich and Kästle, 2002) .

Janak Raj Khatiwada, Bin Wang, Subarna Ghimire, Karthikeyan Vasudevan, Shanta Paudel and Jianping Jiang. 2015. A New Species of the Genus Tylototriton (Amphibia: Urodela: Salamandridae) from Eastern Himalaya. Asian Herpetological Research. 6(4); 245-256.

[Herpetology • 2014] Tylototriton liuyangensis • A New Species of the Genus Tylototriton (Urodela: Salamandridae) from Northeastern Hunan Province, China

Tylototriton liuyangensis  Yang, Jiang, Shen & Fei, 2014

DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1245.2014.00001

ABSTRACT

We describe a new species from the family Salamandridae from northeastern Hunan Province of China based on morphological and molecular genetic evidences. The new species, Tylototriton liuyangensis,is a member of the T. asperrimus group,and shares a number of similarities with T. wenxianensis and T. broadoridgus.The dorsal surface of the new Tylototriton species is completely black,with nodule-like warts distributed evenly along the lateral margin of dorsal body,and there is no transverse striae between the warts.There are several diagnostic characters of the new species that differ from those of T. wenxianensis and T. broadoridgus as follows: (1) the interorbital space (IOS) is comparatively wide; (2) there is a bony ridge present on the dorsal head surface,running along the upper eyelids; (3) the space between axilla and groin (AGS) is comparatively large,with the mean male AGS approximately equal to 50%of the snout-vent length (SVL) and the mean female AGS being 53%of SVL; and (4) there is a small genital armature on the anterior angle of labial folds present inside the anal fissure of adult males during the breeding season.The result from the molecular phylogenetic analysis of the genus Tylototriton (including the type specimen of the new species)based on the complete DNA sequence of the mitochondrial ND2 gene(1035 bp)indicated that the new species was similar to T. wenxianensis, T. dabienicus, and T. broadoridgus, but formed an independent clade.This result was consistent with the morphological analysis above, supporting that the Liuyang Population represented a distinct species.

Key words: new species, Tylototriton liuyangensis, Salamandridae, taxonomy, Liuyang Daweishan Provincial Nature Reserve of Hunan Province in China

 YANG Daode, JIANG Jianping, SHEN Youhui and  FEI Dongbo. 2014. A New Species of the Genus Tylototriton (Urodela: Salamandridae) from Northeastern Hunan Province, China. ASIAN HERPETOLOGICAL RESEARCH. 5(1):1-11. DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1245.2014.00001

ResearchGate.net/publication/278393438_A_New_Species_of_the_Genus_Tylototriton_(Urodela_Salamandridae)_from_Northeastern_Hunan_Province_China

[Herpetology • 2015] Ecology and Natural History of the Knobby Newt Tylototriton podichthys (Caudata: Salamandridae) in Laos

Fig. 6. Life stages of Tylototriton podichthys at the study site. A, Eggs under grass in June; B, eggs on leaf litter in July, C, larvae at bottom of stream pool in October, D, eft emerging onto land, found under a log 30 cm from the stream water on 10 December 2012, E, dorsal view; and F, ventral view of an eft that has begun to resemble an adult newt.
Fig. 2. Sexual dimorphism of Tylototriton podichthys at the study site. A, Dorsal view of adult female; B, dorsal view of adult male;

Phimmachak, Stuart & Aowphol, 2015 || LKCNHM.nus.edu.sg

Abstract

 Almost nothing is known on the ecology and natural history of Tylototriton (Knobby Newts) in Laos. Here, a population of the newly described T. podichthys was intensively studied in a 55,800 sq.m.  area in Xiengkhouang Province, Laos, from June 2012–July 2013. Mark-recapture methods estimated 301 individuals of T. podichthys at the study site. Newts were abundant during the breeding season (June–July), with a maximum density of 8.75 newts in 100 sq.m. of stream. The sex ratio of adult males and females was almost equal and did not differ throughout the year. The population was sexually dimorphic, with females having larger and heavier bodies than males, and different cloacal morphologies during the breeding season. Males, females and immature newts (efts) used a variety of habitat and microhabitat types. Adult newts occupied a stream only during a brief breeding period, but otherwise were primarily terrestrial. The breeding season began in the early rainy season during June–July, and efts emerged from the stream during the dry, cold season beginning in December. Diet was studied by stomach-flushing methods, and consisted primarily of terrestrial invertebrates, especially woodlice (Ligiidae), earthworms (Haplotaxida) and pillbugs (Armadillidae). Unlike in many other newts, conspecific oophagy was not observed. Diet composition, number of prey consumed, and volume of prey consumed did not differ among adult males, adult females or efts.

Key words. amphibian, diet, ecology, life cycle, mark-recapture

Fig. 6. Life stages of Tylototriton podichthys at the study site. A, Eggs under grass in June; B, eggs on leaf litter in July, C, larvae at bottom of stream pool in October, D, eft emerging onto land, found under a log 30 cm from the stream water on 10 December 2012, E, dorsal view; and F, ventral view of an eft that has begun to resemble an adult newt.
Fig. 2. Sexual dimorphism of Tylototriton podichthys at the study site. A, Dorsal view of adult female; B, dorsal view of adult male; C, ventral view of female cloaca; D, ventral view of male cloaca.

Phimmachak, Stuart & Aowphol, 2015 || LKCNHM.nus.edu.sg

Somphouthone Phimmachak, Bryan L. Stuart and Anchalee Aowphol. 2015. Ecology and Natural History of the Knobby Newt Tylototriton podichthys (Caudata: Salamandridae) in Laos. RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 63: 389–400

LKCNHM.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/vol63/63rbz389-400.pdf

ResearchgGte.net/publication/281629520_Ecology_and_Natural_History_of_the_Knobby_Newt_Tylototriton_podichthys_(Caudata_Salamandridae)_in_Laos

[Herpetology • 2015] Tylototriton anguliceps • A New Species of Tylototriton Anderson, 1871 (Amphibia: Salamandridae) from Northern Indochina

Angular-headed Newt - Tylototriton anguliceps
Le, Nguyen, Nishikawa, Lan, Nguyen, Pham, Matsui, Bernardes & Nguyen, 2015

DOI: 10.5358/hsj.34.38

ABSTRACT 

We describe a new species of Tylototriton from northwestern Vietnam and northern Thailand based on morphological and molecular evidence. Tylototriton anguliceps sp. nov. is distinguishable from all the other congeners by the bright to dark orange markings on the head, body, and tail, prominent dorsal and dorsolateral ridges (crests) on the head, skeletal connection between maxillary and pterygoid, and unique mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences. Our molecular data show that the new species is nested within the clade comprising T. uyenoi, T. shanjing, T. verrucosus, and T. yangi. The new species is expected to be recorded from other countries in the Indochina region such as southern China, western Myanmar and northern Laos in the future.

Keywords: Tylototriton, Molecular phylogeny, Morphology, New species, Vietnam, Thailand

Dzung Trung Le, Tao Thien Nguyen, Kanto Nishikawa, Son Lan, Hung Nguyen, Anh Van Pham, Masafumi Matsui, Marta Bernardes and Truong Quang Nguyen. 2015. A New Species of Tylototriton Anderson, 1871 (Amphibia: Salamandridae) from Northern Indochina. 

Current Herpetology. 34(1): 38-50. DOI: 10.5358/hsj.34.38

researchgate.net/publication/273000655_A_New_Species_of_Tylototriton_Anderson_1871_(Amphibia_Salamandridae)_from_Northern_Indochina

http://photoindeed.blogspot.com/2012/07/blog-post_2467.html

Loài cóc mới được phát hiện ở Việt Nam - VnExpress http://bit.ly/1MrjtPE

Scientists find new amphibian species in Vietnam

http://www.thanhniennews.com/education-youth/scientists-find-new-amphibian-species-in-vietnam-39696.html

[Herpetology • 2014] Echinotriton maxiquadratus • A Missing Geographic Link in the Distribution of the Genus Echinotriton (Caudata: Salamandridae) with Description of A New Species from southern China

Echinotriton maxiquadratus Hou, Wu, Yang, Zheng, Yuan & Li, 2014

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3895.1.5 | photo: ChungWeiYou

Abstract

Disjunct geographic distribution of a species or a group of species is the product of long-term interaction between organisms and the environment. Filling the distributional gap by discovery of a new population or a species has significant biogeographic implications, because it suggests a much wider past distribution and provides evidence for the route of range expansion/contraction. The salamandrid genus Echinotriton (commonly known as spiny salamanders, spiny newts, or crocodile newts) has two species that are restricted to two widely separated areas, one in eastern Zhejiang province, China and the other in the Ryukyu Archipelago of Japan. It has been hypothesized that Echinotriton was once continuously distributed between the two areas through a historical land bridge that connected mainland China, Taiwan, and the archipelago. Finding fossils or relic populations along the postulated distribution are strong evidence for the hypothesis. Hundred-twenty-two years after the description of E. andersoni and eight-one years after that of E. chinhaiensis, we discover a third species of Echinotriton in southern China, which fills the distributional gap of the former two species. Species status of the new species is confirmed through molecular phylogenetic analysis and morphological comparison. Mitochondrial DNA indicates that the new species is sister to E. chinhaiensis, while nuclear DNA does not support this relationship. The new species has a very large quadrate projection, a single line of lateral warts pierced by distal rib extremities, normally developed 5th toes, and conical skin tubercles. Our discovery supports the hypothesis that there was a continuous distribution of Echinotriton from eastern coastal China to the Ryukyu Archipelago. We suggest that other species of this genus may also be found in Taiwan. Due to the rarity of this new species, we urge all hobbyists to refrain themselves from collecting this salamander or leaking locality information if encountered, and boycott any trading.

Keywords: Amphibians, salamanders, endangered species, East Asia, molecular phylogenetics, statistical species delimitation

facebook.com/creatureguider/posts/1570652013169432
facebook.com/chungweiyou/posts/10152415855716566

Hou, Mian, Yunke W, Kelin Yang, Sheng Zheng, Zhiyong Yuan & Pipeng Li. 2014. A Missing Geographic Link in the Distribution of the Genus Echinotriton (Caudata: Salamandridae) with Description of A New Species from southern China. Zootaxa. 3895(1): 89–102.

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3895.1.5

facebook.com/233680374671/photos/10152965540099672

facebook.com/chungweiyou/posts/10152415855716566

[Herpetology • 2014] Tylototriton shanorum • A New Species of Tylototriton (Amphibia: Urodela: Salamandridae) from Central Myanmar

Figure 3. Photograph of specimens of Tylototriton verrucosus verrucosus from Myanmar (A and B: dorsal and ventral views of CAS 230940 [male]; C: dorsal view of CAS 230933 [female]), dorsal view of male topotype of T. verrucosus verrucosus (D), and dorsal view of male holotype of T. uyenoi (E). Scale bar = 20 mm.
Figure 4. Photograph of dorsal head of specimens of Tylototriton verrucosus verrucosus from Myanmar (A: CAS 230940 [male]; B: CAS 230933 [female]), male topotype of T. v. verrucosus (C), and male holotype of T. uyenoi (D). Scale bar = 10 mm.

ABSTRACT

We describe a new species of Tylototriton from Taunggyi, Shan State, central Myanmar, based on molecular and morphological evidence. The new species, Tylototriton shanorum, is classified as a member of the subgenus Tylototriton. The species differs morphologically from all known congeners by having the combination of dull-colored markings, weakly protruding dorsolateral bony ridges on head, narrow and weakly segmented vertebral ridge, and narrow vomerine tooth series. The taxonomic relationship between T. verrucosus and T. shanjing is briefly discussed based on the molecular phylogeny obtained in this study.

Key words: Tylototriton, morphology, new species, Myanmar

 Kanto Nishikawa, Masafumi Matsui and Dingqi Rao. 2014. A New Species of Tylototriton (Amphibia: Urodela: Salamandridae) from Central Myanmar. The Natural History Bulletin of the Siam Society. 60(1):9-22.

researchgate.net/publication/267810165_A_NEW_SPECIES_OF_TYLOTOTRITON_(AMPHIBIA_URODELA_SALAMANDRIDAE)_FROM_CENTRAL_MYANMAR