Ngoc Linh crocodile newt | |
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Scientific classification
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Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Amphibia |
Order: | Urodela |
Family: | Salamandridae |
Genus: | Tylototriton |
Species: | T. ngoclinhensis
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Binomial name | |
Tylototriton ngoclinhensis Phung, Pham, Nguyen, Ninh, Nguyen, Bernardes, Le, Ziegler & Nguyen, 2023
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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]
Tylototriton 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]
Tylototriton 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]