Echinotriton (Sinotriton), SUBGEN., 2023

Dufresnes, Christophe & Hernandez, Axel, 2023, Towards completing the crocodile newts’ puzzle with all-inclusive phylogeographic resources, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 197, pp. 620-640 : 633

ECHINOTRITON SUBGEN. SINOTRITON HERNANDEZ & DUFRESNES SUBGEN. NOV.

( FIG. 8 )

Z o o b a n k r e g i s t r a t i o n: u r n: l s i d: z o o b a n k. org:act: E51B1405-09B4-49A7-8D25-2F1EBA6B38BB.

Identity and diagnosis: The new subgenus Sinotriton corresponds to the Chinese clade of genus Echinotriton , which diverged from the Ryukyu clade (nominal subgenus Echinotriton ) about 15 Mya. Members are large-bodied newts of TTL of 129–160 mm and generally look flattened (more robust in subgenus Echinotriton ). Cephalic ridges well developed. Head broad, trapezoid in shape (triangular shape in subgenus Echinotriton ). Vertebral ridge sharp and well segmented (regular and not segmented in subgenus Echinotriton ). 8–12 dorsolateral spiny warts (12–15 in subgenus Echinotriton ). All five toes generally well developed (fifth toe rudimentary in subgenus Echinotriton ). Vomeropalatine teeth V-shaped, arranged in two longitudinal series that meet in front. Coloration entirely black (dark brown to black in subgenus Echinotriton ).

Type species: Tylototriton chinhaiensis Chang, 1932 .

Etymology: This name combines the Latin prefix Sino ('from China') with the generic nomen Triton Laurenti, 1768 .

DiƲersity and distribution: Newts from the subgenus Sinotriton are only known from southern China, where they are currently represented by two species: E. chinhaiensis and E. maxiquadratus .

Figures

Figure 8. Portrays of subgenera Sinotriton subgen. nov. and Echinotriton. Notice the shape of the vertebral ridge (segmented in Sinotriton vs. smooth in Echinotriton) and the fifth toe (normally developed in Sinotriton vs. rudimentary in Echinotriton). Photos: E. chinhaiensis, E. maxiquadratus (credits: AH); E. andersoni, E. raffaellii (credits: J. Nerz).