Taxonomic determination of Hypselotriton populations distributed in eastern Guangdong, China (Caudata, Salamandridae), with description of a new species and a new subgenus

By

Wang, Jian
Zeng, Zhaochi
Wei, Tian-Li
Lyu, Zhi-Tong

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2024-8-14

Original Publication

Zoosystematics and evolution

Volume

100

Series / Issue

Issue: 3

Pages

1121--1134

Subjects

Chaozhou , Cynops , Hakkatriton subgen. nov. , Hypselotriton (Cynotriton) oolong sp. nov. , Jiexi

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia Pensoft

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zse.100.127268

 

Abstract

In this work, the Hypselotriton populations distributed in eastern Guangdong, China are studied in detail to clarify their taxonomic status. Based on morphological comparison and phylogenetic analysis, H. glaucussyn. nov. is synonymised with H. orphicus. Hypselotriton (Cynotriton) oolongsp. nov. from Mt Fenghuang in Chaozhou which used to be misidentified as H. orphicus, is revealed to be an independent lineage of subgenus Cynotriton and can be distinguished from all known congeners in morphology. By contrast, H. orphicus did not cluster within Cynotriton, but gathered with H. jiaorencomb. nov. to form a distinct unnamed clade within the genus. We therefore re-delimitate the intrageneric classification of the genus and a new subgenus Hakkatritonsubgen. nov. is erected, corresponding to this unnamed clade. The Chinese Fire-bellied Newt genus Hypselotriton currently contains three subgenera and about ten known species. Identified keys to the subgenera and related congeners of genus Hypselotriton are further provided.