A subsequent paper made anatomical comparisons of animals from near the locality of these animals, along with genotyping. Animals involved were morphologically identical to "
Pingia granulosa" as described above...and they were also genetically identical to
Pachytriton at the same location. Unfortunately, the neotypes and the neotype locality were not re-evaluated, but the evidence as-is indicates a situation identical to the original description -
Pingia granulosa are juvenile
Pachytriton.
Morphological Variation in Pachytriton labiatus and a Re-Assessment of the Taxonomic Status of P. granulosus (Amphibia: Urodela: Salamandridae)
https://unibio.repo.nii.ac.jp/?acti...tem_id=59&item_no=1&attribute_id=10&file_no=1
An additional paper has studied variation in
Pachytriton, and found four [maybe five] distinct species. Those from the region of
Pingia granulosa are the only ones without a name of their own, though they are called in the pet trade "
Pachytriton labiatus".
Homoplastic evolution of external colouration in Asian stout newts (Pachytriton) inferred from molecular phylogeny
http://www.oeb.harvard.edu/faculty/hanken/public_html/documents/Wu%20et%20al%202009%20Zoologica%20Scripta.pdf
Based on these two papers and my own application of ICZN, priority, and logic, I draw the following conclusion: Essentially lacking a name of their own, this population assumes the oldest unique name applied to the species, which is
Pachytriton granulosus. Yes, I've discussed this elsewhere before, but it's directly relevant to this thread, to bring some "closure".
The neotypes need to be re-examined. If they are
Pachytriton, they can stand as neotypes, although adult specimens would have been better. If not, they need to be re-named, and
P.granulosus should have a NEW neotype designated.
