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| Pachytriton cheni He, S. Wu, S.-Q. Wang, Ma, Zhao, X. Wu & S. Wang, 2025 Chen’s Stout Newt | 陈氏肥螈 || DOI: doi.org/10.3390/ani15203018 |
Abstract
China is a global hotspot for amphibian biodiversity, yet under-explored montane regions harbor undiscovered cryptic species. Using integrative taxonomy, we describe a new salamandrid species, Pachytriton cheni sp. nov., from Qingliangfeng Nature Reserve, Anhui. Phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial (ND2, cytb) and nuclear (RAG1, POMC) genes strongly support it as a monophyletic sister lineage to P. granulosus, with significant mitochondrial p-distances (4.39–10.22%) and unique nuclear haplotypes. Bayes factor species delimitation under the multispecies coalescent model (MSC) decisively rejects conspecificity with P. granulosus (2lnBF = 24.52). Morphologically, it is diagnosed by its small size; oval, narrow head (length > width); nearly black dorsum lacking bright orange spots; smooth skin; occipital V-shaped ridge; orange-red abdomen with brown markings; prominent neck folds; and minimal digit gap when limbs are adpressed. This discovery increases Pachytriton species to ten, highlights high-elevation montane ecosystems as key biodiversity refuges in East China, and underscores the need for further surveys to clarify the genus’s phylogeny.
Keywords: Pachytriton cheni sp. nov.; southeast Chinese hilly area; morphology; molecular phylogeny; multispecies coalescent model; species delimitation; taxonomy; biodiversity
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| Holotype (ANU 20230001) of Pachytriton cheni sp. nov. in preservative. photo: Siyu Wu. |
Pachytriton cheni sp. nov.
Diagnosis: (1) A small-sized newt of the genus Pachytriton, males 57.1–69.1 mm and females 63.9–68.7 mm SVL; (2) head oval and narrow, head length greater than head width; (3) nearly black dorsal ground coloration lacking both bright orange spots and black speckling; (4) smooth skin texture; (5) the occipital region typically exhibits a distinct V-shaped ridge; (6) the abdomen is orange-red with several short brown streaks or vermiculate spots; (7) significant neck folds; (8) when adpressed, the digits of forelimbs and hindlimbs approach each other with minimal intervening space.
Etymology: The species is named in honor of the late Professor Bi-Hui Chen (1931–2022), a world-renowned herpetologist who dedicated his life to vertebrate education and research. Celebrated as the “father of the Chinese alligator”, Professor Chen decoded the survival strategies of the critically endangered Alligator sinensis through persistent field studies. His work was pivotal in developing effective conservation breeding programs that ultimately rescued the species from the brink of extinction. He also co-authored the seminal work “Anhui Amphibians and Reptiles Fauna” [40], which has profoundly contributed to herpetological studies in Anhui Province and across China. We name this new species Pachytriton cheni in his memory, proposing “Chen’s Stout Newt” as its English common name and “陈氏肥螈 (chén shì féi yuán)” as its Chinese common name.
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| Figure 6. (a) Pachytriton cheni sp. nov. in life; (b) habitat at the Pachytriton cheni sp. nov. in Qingliangfeng Nature Reserve, Huangshan, Anhui, China. (a) Photo by Supen Wang; (b) Photo by Zhirong He. |
Zhirong He, Siyu Wu, Shanqing Wang, Li Ma, Na Zhao, Xiaobing Wu and Supen Wang. 2025. A New Species of Pachytriton (Amphibia: Caudata: Salamandridae) from Anhui, China. Animals. 15(20), 3018. DOI: doi.org/10.3390/ani15203018 [17 October 2025]
Simple Summary: China is home to many unique amphibians, but some species remain undiscovered in remote mountain areas. In this study, scientists identified a new species of salamander from Qingliangfeng Nature Reserve in Anhui Province. The researchers used molecular and morphological analysis to confirm that this salamander is different from any known species. The new salamander is small, with a body length of 57.1–69.1 mm for males and 63.9–68.7 mm for females. It has a narrow head, smooth black skin on its back, and an orange-red belly with brown markings. A distinctive V-shaped ridge on the back of its head and prominent neck folds further distinguish it from similar species. DNA tests showed clear genetic differences from related salamanders, confirming it as a separate species. This discovery increases the number of known salamander species in this group to eleven, highlighting the rich biodiversity of China’s mountain ecosystems. As a protected species living in a specific high-elevation habitat, this new salamander needs special conservation attention. The findings contribute to our understanding of biodiversity and provide valuable information for developing effective conservation strategies to protect this unique species and its fragile mountain stream habitat.
