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| Tylototriton wufengensis Li, Shi, Liu, Luo, J. Wang, Liao, Y. Wang, Gong, Wu & B. Wang, 2026 |
Abstract
Based on morphological comparisons and molecular phylogenetic analyses, a new species of the genus Tylototriton from Wufeng County, Hubei Province, China, is described. Phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial 16S rRNA and ND2 gene sequences supported the new species as an independent clade, sister to a clade containing Tylototriton dabienicus and T. gaowangjienensis. The uncorrected p-distances of the 16S rRNA and ND2 genes between the new species and its closest congeners were 0.7% and 1.7%, respectively. Divergence time estimates indicated separation from T. dabienicus and T. gaowangjienensis at 2.53 million years ago (Mya; 95% highest posterior density [HPD]: 1.53–3.72 Mya). Bayesian species delimitation (BFD and bPTP analyses) strongly supported the new taxon as a distinct species. Morphologically, it is distinguished by: (1) moderate body size (SVL 63.7–77.2 mm in males, 74.9–88.1 mm in females); (2) head width exceeding head length; (3) presence of a gular fold; (4) tail shorter than snout–vent length; (5) orange distal digits, cloacal periphery, and tail margin; (6) limb tips meeting when fore- and hindlimbs are pressed along the trunk; (7) fingertips extending beyond the snout when forelimbs are stretched forward; and (8) continuous, indistinct, nodule-like warts on the body sides.
Key Words: morphology, molecular phylogenetic analysis, new species, Tylototriton
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| Photographs of the holotype CIB WF20240502001 of Tylototriton wufengensis sp. nov. in life. A. Lateral view; B. Dorsal view; C. Ventral view; D. Tail; E. Lateral view of the head; F. Dorsal view of the head; G. Ventral view of the hand; H. Ventral view of the foot; I. Cloaca. (Photos A–I by Shengchao Shi.) |
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| Color variation in Tylototriton wufengensis sp. nov. of the female specimen CIB WF20240502004. A. Dorsal view; B. Dorsal view of the head; C. Ventral view; D. Cloaca. (Photos A–D by Shengchao Shi.) |
Tylototriton wufengensis sp. nov.
Diagnosis.
Tylototriton wufengensis sp. nov. is assigned to the genus Tylototriton based upon molecular phylogenetic analyses and the following morphological characters: presence of dorsal granules, dorsolateral bony ridges on the head, knob-like warts on dorsolateral body, and the absence of a quadrate spine.
Tylototriton wufengensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from other congeners by the following characters: (1) body size moderate (SVL 63.7–77.2 mm in males and 74.9–88.1 mm in females); (2) head width larger than head length; (3) gular fold present; (4) the tail length shorter than the snout-vent length; (5) the distal ends and ventral surfaces of digits, peripheral area of cloaca, and the lower margin of tail orange; (6) the distal tips of the limbs just meeting when the fore and hindlimbs being pressed along the trunk; (7) fingertips reaching to the level beyond the snout when the forelimbs being stretched forward; (8) nodule-like warts on body sides that are continuous and not obvious.
Shize Li, Shengchao Shi, Jing Liu, Zhonghao Luo, Jiajun Wang, Linhong Liao, Yeqing Wang, Renhu Gong, Jun Wu and Bin Wang. 2026. Description of A New Species of the Asian Newt Genus Tylototriton Anderson, 1871 (Urodela, Salamandridae) from central China. Zoosystematics and Evolution 102(1): 181-197. doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.173283
