title: Morphological and molecular variation in Tylototriton (Caudata: Salamandridae) in Laos, with description of a new species.
abstract: The salamandrid genus Tylototriton is poorly known in Laos, with one described species and unverified reports of two others. We undertook new fieldwork and obtained samples of Tylototriton at six localities across northern Laos during 2009-2013. Bayesian phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA, principal component analyses of 13 mensural characters, and qualitative morphological comparisons with samples from across the geographic range of Tylototriton were performed. Samples from Laos fell into four molecular and morphological groups, consisting of T. notialis, T. panhai, T. anguliceps, and a fourth lineage that is hypothesized here to be an undescribed species. Tylototriton podichthys sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by having distinct mitochondrial DNA haplotypes and in characteristics of the glandular skin on the head and body, shape of the rib nodules, and coloration of the body and limbs. This study expands the number of confirmed Tylototriton species in Laos from one to four, with the description of one species and extension of the ranges of T. panhai and T. anguliceps to Laos. An improved understanding of the geographic ranges of T. podichthys sp. nov. and T. anguliceps within Laos is needed.
authors.affiliation: Kasetsart University, Faculty of Science, Department of Zoology, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand National University of Laos, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, P.O. Box 2273, Dong Dok Campus, Vientiane, Laos; Email: unknown.
authors.forename: Somphouthone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Phimmachak
authors.affiliation: Kasetsart University, Faculty of Science, Department of Zoology, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand; Email: unknown.
authors.forename: Anchalee
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aowphol
authors.affiliation: North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 West Jones Street, Raleigh NC 27601, USA; Email: bryan.stuart@naturalsciences.org.
authors.forename: Bryan L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Stuart
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D007812:Laos; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D012455:Salamandridae / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial