Paramesotriton chinensis (Gray, 1859)
The Chinese Warty Newt, Paramesotriton chinensis, is frequently offered in Chinese pet markets, along with Cynops orientalis and Pachytriton labiatus. Although this suggests that the species is abundant, the effect of such harvesting on natural populations is not investigated and hence uncertain. The species' status is presently considered to be of least concern (IUCN, 2010).
Robust newt with very rough skin. Ventral coloration: small yellow-orange spots on a bluish-black or grey background. Dorsal side far more granular than in P. hongkongensis; no cranial ridges or such prominent vertebral ridges as in P. hongkongensis.
Karyotype:
2n=24, 1M, 2M, 3M, 4M, 5M, 6SM, 7M, 8M, 9SM, 10SM, 11SM, 12M, from Zhang et al. (1984). M: metacentric; SM: submetacentric
The mitochondrial DNA sequence data are available in Wu et al. (2010).
Robust newt with very granular skin and less-prominent vertebral ridge. Warts are largest on head and dorsum. Head a little longer than wide, snout truncated. Labial fold is conspicuous. Gular fold is absent or inconspicuous. Digits overlap when limbs are adpressed. Tail longer than snout-vent length, high and laterally compressed, with fins on upper- and undersides and ending in a blunt tip. Legs well developed. Dorsal color is uniform dark olive green or grey to dark brown, occasionally with darker patches on body and tail, and small orange dots irregularly scattered on the sides. In the land form the dorsal color is uniformly black (Chang & Boring, 1935). Ventral side bluish-black, with small, unequal, irregular yellow-orange spots on the chin, neck, belly and underside of the legs. Underside of the tail is reddish-yellow, interrupted with dark patches. In the breeding season, the male has a silver-white stripe along the tail and a swollen cloaca with papillae. Males smaller than females.
All measurements are from Fei et al. (2006).
Male (7 specimens). Total length: 126–141 mm; snout-vent length: 68.5–76.9 mm; head length: 15–16.7 mm; head width: 12.9–15 mm; forelimb length: 21.7–25 mm; hind-limb length: 21.8–26.1 mm.
Female (6 specimens). Total length: 133–151 mm; snout-vent length: 67.4–75.5 mm; head length: 14.6–16.5 mm; head width: 13.4–16 mm; forelimb length: 20.5–24.9 mm; hind-limb length: 22.3–24.9 mm.
The exact phylogenetic relationship between Paramesotriton chinensis and congeners is unclear given current available mitochondrial data (Wu et al., 2010). Paramesotriton hongkongensis is likely the sister taxon to P. chinensis, but the statistical support is very weak.
Eastern China including Zhejiang, Anhui and Fujian. Formerly a wider distribution range was reported, including Chongqing, Hunan, Guangdong and Guangxi in central China (Fei et al., 2006; IUCN, 2010). But the Paramesotriton species in those areas actually represent several new species. The species from Chongqing is likely P. longliensis, that from Guangdong is P. yunwuensis and the species from Guangxi are P. fuzhongensis and P. ermizhaoi (Wu et al., 2009; Wu et al., 2010).
Wide stony streams with swiftly running water at the base of mountains (elevations 200–1,200 m). Trees and shrubs are bordering these streams. Stream substrate often includes gravel and sand. The newts hide under stones and partly also live on land, where they are found under grass were the ground is damp and full of decaying leaves (Chang & Boring, 1935). Paramesotriton chinensis preys on earthworms, insects and snails (Fei et al., 2006). It is most active from 7 pm to 2 am at night (Lv & Shen, 1998).
Paramesotriton chinensis is known among hobbyists since many years (Freytag 1963), but factual information on captive breeding remains limited (Miller, 2005). Observations in captivity have indicated that P. chinensis is aggressive in the breeding season, when it lives in water. This behavior possibly serves to defend a territory. Eggs are laid singly between leaves. The same leaves may be used to attach several eggs to. Eggs large, as in other Paramesotriton species. Larvae are uniformly black, including the gills. Juveniles black with yellow spots (Thorn & Raffaelli, 2001; Miller, 2005).