A New Species of the Genus Tylototriton (Amphibia, Salamandridae) from Southwestern Hunan Province, China

This study describes a new species of the newt genus (Tylototriton sheni sp. nov.) from the Huangyan area in Zhongfang County of Hunan Province, China, based on morphological and molecular genetic evidence. Phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial 16S rRNA and ND2 gene sequences revealed that the new species forms a monophyletic clade with T. maolanensis and T. broadoridgus, all belonging to the T. asperrimus species group. The new species diagnosed by a combination of following characters: (1) Medium-sized body (SVL 60.9–70.1 mm in males and 74.6–75.5 mm in females); (2) Vomerine teeth in a wide inverted V shape, tips separated; (3) Tubercles on dorsolateral body disconnected, total munbers 16–18; (4) Head length greater than head width; (5) The posterolateral part of the squamosal bears a distinct process extending beyond the posterior margin of the exoccipital; (6) Tips of forelimbs and hindlimbs reaching and slightly overlapping when folded towards the body; (7) Tail shorter than body (TAL/SVL = 0.79–0.91 in males, 0.72–0.75 in females); (8) Fingertips extending beyond the tip of the snout when the forelimbs are stretched forward. This paper summarizes the developmental data of embryos of the new taxon. We propose that the conservation status of the new species should be Critically Endangered (CR) following the IUCN criteria (B1ab iii), and the new species should be included in the List of State Key Protected Wild Animals of China. Immediate protection and supervision of its population are recommended.