New super-cute crocodile newts discovered in Vietnam

Scientists are happy to reveal two new species of science and a recently discovered newt subspecies (also known as a toad) crocodile recently discovered in Northern Vietnam.

Unfortunately - but unsurprisingly - these strangely cute species have encountered a triple threat due to traditional medicine, habitat loss and pet trade.

Report in ZooKeys magazine, a group of German and Vietnamese scientists studied some animal samples collected during field surveys near the Da River, also known as the Black River, in Northern Vietnam. Male. Based on genetic and morphological comparisons, they discovered two species ( Tylototriton pasmansi and Tylototriton sparreboomi ) and one subspecies (Tylototriton pasmansi obsti) that were previously unknown to scientists, making the total recognized alligator species in Vietnam increased to seven species.

Two new species and a subspecies of new crocodile newts (from the top) were discovered in some northern provinces of Vietnam. (Photo: ZooKeys).

From tail to snout only 12 to 15 cm long, these three new members are characterized by dark, rough skin and large round eyes. Researchers believe these crocodile newts have been seen before but are often mistaken for lumpy toadfish ( Tylototriton asperrimus ) . Turns out, this species actually lives only in one part of southern China.

All members of the genus Tylototriton, also known as humpfish , have attracted the attention of people who deal with exotic pets and traditional Chinese medicine practitioners. On top of that, this genus is also threatened by habitat loss due to urbanization, infrastructure development and intensification of agricultural cultivation. Therefore, lumpy toad is a near threatened species according to IUCN's Red List.

However, these new developments suggest they may be scarcer than previously believed. Although the discovery of these new species seems to be a big victory for biodiversity, the fact that this means lumpy toadstrokes is now divided into several small groups, each with a different environment. live narrower.

The researchers wrote in their paper that: 'the taxonomy of a widespread species into many smaller species . is important for the conservation of the original species. '.

Therefore, the team recommends reevaluating the near-threatened status of T. asperrimus sensu to reflect changes in taxonomy and the more serious threats posed by international trade. economic and habitat loss have taken place over the past decade.