Published May 21, 2020 | Version v1
Journal article Open

Integrative taxonomy reveals three new taxa within the Tylototriton asperrimus complex (Caudata, Salamandridae) from Vietnam

  • 1. Cologne Zoo, Cologne, Germany|University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
  • 2. American Museum of Natural History, New York, United States of America|University of Science, Hanoi, Vietnam|Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam
  • 3. Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam|Graduate University of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam
  • 4. Tay Bac University, Son La City, Vietnam
  • 5. Graduate University of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam|Vietnam National Museum of Nature, Hanoi, Vietnam
  • 6. Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig, Bonn, Germany
  • 7. University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany

Description

The Tylototriton asperrimus complex from northern Vietnam is reviewed based on morphological comparisons and analysis of the mitochondrial marker NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2). Based on molecular divergences, which were revealed to be higher than in other congeners, in concert with morphological differences, two new species and one subspecies are described herein: Tylototriton pasmansi sp. nov. differs from T. asperrimus sensu stricto by 3.2 to 3.6 % genetic divergence and a combination of distinct morphological characters, such as head slightly longer than wide, distinct mid-dorsal ridge, relatively wide distance between the eyes, tips of fingers reaching the eye when foreleg is laid forward, labial and gular folds present, central belly skin with tubercles shaped like transverse wrinkles and distinct, pointy to round rib nodules. The population of T. pasmansi sp. nov. consists of two subclades, the nominotypic one occurring on the eastern side of the Da River (or Black River, including Hoa Binh and Phu Tho provinces), and another occurring on the western side (including Son La and Thanh Hoa provinces). These two subclades differ by 2.5 to 3.1 % genetic divergence and distinct morphological characters. The western subclade is herein described as Tylototriton pasmansi obsti ssp. nov., which differs from the nominotypic form by a wider head, longer and narrower snout, shorter femur length, and an overall less granulose skin, without an increased concentration of warts on the body sides.

A second new species, Tylototriton sparreboomi sp. nov. is described from Lai Chau Province. It differs from T. asperrimus sensu stricto by 4.1 to 4.2 % and from Tylototriton pasmansi sp. nov. by 3.6 to 4.5 % genetic divergences as well as by a combination of distinct morphological characters, such as head longer than wide, tips of fingers reaching nostril when foreleg adpressed along head, rib nodules distinct, round and relatively enlarged, and wide distance between the eyes.

Files

ZK_article_37138.pdf

Files (13.9 MB)

Name Size Download all
md5:8a3b5d31df20aac7049962fabedafe4d
13.9 MB Preview Download

System files (402.2 kB)

Name Size Download all
md5:0a7af1e7d50fc9d99b383ce1e28b8975
402.2 kB Download

Linked records

Additional details