Tylototriton ngoclinhensis, the Ngoc Linh crocodile newt, is a species of crocodile newt native to the Central Highlands region of Vietnam.[1] First discovered in 2018, it was described as a new species in 2023.[2] Due to its small range, the newt is considered to be threatened and it has been proposed for it to be classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List.[3]
| Ngoc Linh crocodile newt | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Urodela |
| Family: | Salamandridae |
| Genus: | Tylototriton |
| Species: | T. ngoclinhensis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Tylototriton ngoclinhensis Phung, Pham, Nguyen, Ninh, Nguyen, Bernardes, Le, Ziegler & Nguyen, 2023
| |
Distribution
editTylototriton ngoclinhensis is the eighth taxon of Tylototriton to be described in Vietnam,[3] but the first to be recorded in its Central Highlands region.[1] The range of T. ngoclinhensis is limited and is currently thought to be restricted to montane forests near water bodies on Ngọc Linh.[3] This means that T. ngoclinhensis has the southernmost range of all members of Tylototriton in Asia.[3] The habitat of T. ngoclinhensis is located at an altitude of 1,800 to 2,300 meters above sea level, the highest among crocodile newts.[4]
Description
editTylototriton ngoclinhensis is a moderate-sized and robust species of newt, with a snout-vent length ranging from 60.8 to 66.5 mm in males and 72.5-75.6 mm in females.[3] Tail lengths range from 57.6 to 61.8 mm in males and 62.9–67.9 mm in females.[3] Males are thought to be smaller than females.
The body of T. ngoclinhensis is black with orange-red markings covering its head, tail, limbs, and vertebral ridge.[5] In addition, a black line is present which runs from the shoulder to the eye.[6] Secondary sex characteristics are present in the species. The cloaca of males are known to have a longer slit than those of females.[3] In addition, the inner cloacal walls of males contain papilla, whereas females do not have papilla inside their inner cloacal walls.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b Anderson, Natali (2023-07-11). "New Crocodile Newt Species Discovered in Vietnam | Sci.News". Sci.News: Breaking Science News. Retrieved 2023-07-25.
- ^ "New crocodile newt discovered in Vietnam". Tuoi Tre News. July 17, 2023. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Phung, Trung My; Pham, Cuong The; Nguyen, Truong Quang; Ninh, Hoa Thi; Nguyen, Huy Quoc; Bernardes, Marta; Le, Son Thanh; Ziegler, Thomas; Nguyen, Tao Thien (2023-07-03). "Southbound – the southernmost record of Tylototriton (Amphibia, Caudata, Salamandridae) from the Central Highlands of Vietnam represents a new species". ZooKeys (1168): 193–218. Bibcode:2023ZooK.1168..193P. doi:10.3897/zookeys.1168.96091. ISSN 1313-2970. PMC 10848839. PMID 38328626.
- ^ Dalton, Nia (2023-07-24). "Extraordinary new crocodile species discovered, but it looks more like an alien". mirror. Retrieved 2023-07-25.
- ^ Mozter, Paw (July 5, 2023). "Southernmost Crocodile Newt Added to the List of Threatened Species". Nature World News. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
- ^ VnExpress. "New crocodile newt species discovered in Vietnam - VnExpress International". VnExpress International – Latest news, business, travel and analysis from Vietnam. Retrieved 2023-07-25.