A new species of the Giant Salamander genus Andrias (Amphibia, Urodela, Cryptobranchidae) from Yuexi, Anhui, China

Chinese giant salamanders (genus Andrias), encompassing the largest extant amphibian species in the world, are widespread in China. Several molecular studies have shown that there are several undescribed species of Andrias. A new species, Andrias yaoluopingensis sp. nov., is described, based on mitochondrial genomes and morphological characteristics from Yuexi County, Anqing City, Anhui Province, China.

Morphologically, the new species is characterised by the combination of seven external characters: (1) head and trunk flat, head slightly longer than wide; (2) tubercles above the orbit few and irregularly distributed; (3) eye diameter longer than naris diameter; (4) lateral neck fold discontinuous with body fold at fore-limb insertion; (5) interdigital webbing slightly present; (6) finger length formula FIII> FII> FI> FIV; and (7) dorsum tan in life, darker blotches present on trunk.

Molecularly, the new species and an undescribed clade (identified in previous studies) of Andrias form an independent clade with strong support (1.00 / 100) in the phylogenetic trees, based on mitochondrial genomes. The number of species in Andrias now reaches six, but cryptic species richness in the Chinese giant salamanders deserves further attention.