 |
| Tylototriton soimalai Pomchote, Peerachidacho, Khonsue, Sapewisut, Hernandez, Phalaraksh, Siriput & Nishikawa, 2024 |
Abstract
A new species of the crocodile newt genus Tylototriton from Doi Soi Malai located at Mae Tuen Wildlife Sanctuary, Tak Province, northwestern Thailand is described based on molecular and morphological evidence, and named as Tylototriton soimalai sp. nov. The new species is the seventh recorded species of the genus Tylototriton reported in Thailand. It differs morphologically from its congeners by a combination of the following morphological characteristics: head longer than wide; snout blunt or truncate; sagittal ridge on head narrow, short and distinct; dorsolateral bony ridges on head pronounced and rough; parotoids distinct; vertebral ridge prominent, wide and not segmented; 14–16 distinct, rounded and isolated rib nodules but posterior nodules connected; tips of fore- and hind limbs overlapping when adpressed along the body. The body background color is black, while the color markings are orange. Molecular analysis indicated that Tylototriton soimalai sp. nov. is a distinct lineage and sister to T. uyenoi with a 4.1% genetic sequence divergence based on the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 gene. The new species is currently restricted to the hill evergreen forests of Doi Soi Malai. The implementation of a strategic plan is recommended to protect both the species and its habitat from anthropogenic activities.
Key words: Conservation, crocodile newt, morphology, phylogeny, Tylototriton soimalai sp. nov.
 |
| The male holotype of Tylototriton soimalai sp. nov. (CUMZ-A-8253) observed at the type locality. |
 |
| The two larvae of Tylototriton soimalai sp. nov. in life. |
Tylototriton soimalai sp. nov.
(Thai name: Ka Tang Nam Doi Soi Malai - กะท่างน้ำดอยสอยมาลัย)
(English name: Doi Soi Malai Crocodile Newt)
Diagnosis: Tylototriton soimalai sp. nov. is assigned to the genus Tylototriton by having a combination of dorsal granules present, dorsolateral bony ridges on head present, knob-like warts or rib nodules on dorsolateral body present, and quadrate spine absent. Tylototriton soimalai sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following morphological characters: (1) medium-sized, adult SVL 66.3–66.5 mm in males; (2) skin rough with fine granules; (3) head longer than wide; (4) snout blunt or truncate in dorsal view, and extending beyond the lower jaw in lateral view; (5) sagittal ridge on head narrow, short, and distinct; (6) dorsolateral bony ridges on head pronounced, with rough surface, posterior ends weakly or hardly ...
Etymology: The specific epithet soimalai refers to Doi Soi Malai, Mae Tuen Wildlife Sanctuary, the type locality of the new species; it is a noun in apposition, thus invariable.
 |
| Current distribution of the genus Tylototriton in Thailand. Tylototriton verrucosus (pale blue); T. anguliceps (green); T. uyenoi (red); T. cf. uyenoi (red outlined with dark red); T. soimalai sp. nov. (tan); T. phukhaensis (black); and T. panhai (dark blue). NP = National Park and WS = Wildlife Sanctuary. The map is modified from https://www.mitrearth.org. |
Porrawee Pomchote, Parada Peerachidacho, Wichase Khonsue, Pitak Sapewisut, Axel Hernandez, Chitchol Phalaraksh, Parunchai Siriput and Kanto Nishikawa. 2024. The Seventh Species of the Newt Genus Tylototriton in Thailand: A New Species (Urodela, Salamandridae) from Tak Province, northwestern Thailand. ZooKeys. 1215: 185-208. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1215.116624
