Creature covered in ‘knob-like warts’ found lurking in lake. It’s a new species
High up a remote mountain range in India, a semi-aquatic creature lurked beneath the surface of a lake. The “cryptic” animals had been seen before by locals but remained largely overlooked.
Until scientists spotted the animals — and discovered they were a new species.
Researchers ventured into the mountain forests of Manipur on several field surveys in 2022, according to a study published Aug. 14 in the journal Herpetezoa. They hiked to swamps and lakes searching for salamanders.
While surveying Zaimeng Lake, researchers found salamanders lurking in the water. The salamanders were unlike any they’d encountered and turned out to be a new species: Tylototriton zaimeng, or the Zaimeng Lake crocodile newt.
The Zaimeng Lake crocodile newt is a “medium”-sized salamander, reaching about 6.4 inches maximum and weighing about an ounce, the study said. It has “very rough” skin and “knob-like warts” along its body.
Photos show the newfound salamander species. Its body is earthy brown with orange markings along its head and orange-brown warts down its back and sides. Its tail fades from brown at the base to yellow-orange at the tip.
Co-author Hmar Tlawmte Lalremsanga told McClatchy News the Zaimeng Lake crocodile newt is a “captivating” and “mysterious creature.”
Researchers found Zaimeng Lake crocodile newts at all times of day. The animals were seen “slowly moving along the muddy bottom” of the lake. During one survey, researchers saw hundreds of newts lurking underwater. A photo shows the creatures swimming just below the surface.
Locals are familiar with the Zaimeng Lake crocodile newt and have several names for it, the study said. One name translates to “tailed amphibian.” Scientists have documented the species previously but misidentified it as a different species.
Researchers named the new species after the local Liangmei word “zaimeng,” a reference to the name of the lake. “Zaimeng” means “‘puzzle lake’ or ‘mystery lake’” and refers to the indigenous Zeliangrong people “who passed by the lake … (and) return(ed) to the same spot again and again,” never arriving at their original destination.
The Zaimeng Lake crocodile newt has been found in five mountainous areas of Manipur, the study said. Although its full range is unknown, the species likely lives in surrounding mountains.
Manipur is a state in northeastern India, about 1,300 miles southeast of New Delhi. Manipur borders Myanmar and is also close to the India-Bangladesh border.
Researchers think the Zaimeng Lake crocodile newt is a vulnerable species. Its known range is limited and threatened by deforestation and human interference.
The new species was identified by its coloring, body shape and teeth as well as its geographic isolation, the study said. DNA analysis confirmed the new species had between 3% and 8.6% genetic divergence from other crocodile newts.
The research team included Ht. Decemson, Hmar Tlawmte Lalremsanga, Premjit Singh Elangbam, Mathipi Vabeiryureilai, Parag Shinde, Jayaditya Purkayastha, Dmitriy Arkhipov, Andrey Bragin and Nikolay Poyarkov.
This story was originally published August 15, 2023 at 4:02 PM with the headline "Creature covered in ‘knob-like warts’ found lurking in lake. It’s a new species."
