Morphological Variation in Pachytriton labiatus and a Re-Assessment of the Taxonomic Status of P. granulosus (Amphibia: Urodela: Salamandridae)

Abstract

Variation in relation to age and sex in a population of Pachytriton labiatus from Mt. Huangshan, Anhui Province, China was examined. There appeared to be distinct morphological variation among age/sex groups. We suggest that some of this variation is associated with ecology and behavior. Examination of the newt species from the type locality and nearby localities of Pachytriton granulosus (=Pingia granulosa), a taxonomically problematic species, revealed that this taxon was almost indistinguishable from juvenile P. labiatus. We therefore conclude that P. granulosus is a junior synonym of P. labiatus.