A team of researchers has identified four new species of Onychodactylus , a unique genus of Asian salamanders that lack lungs and, unlike the rest, have finger nails. The scientists, among whom are experts from the CSIC, assure in the Zootaxa magazine that the finding will allow to delve into the evolutionary history of this group of animals from East Asia. The research was carried out between 2003 and 2010 in little-explored areas of Japan, South Korea, China and Russia.
"The study shows once again how little we know about the planet's diversity", as highlighted by the CSIC researcher at the National Museum of Natural Sciences David Vieites. According to Vieites, the finding suggests that there has been more diversification than previously believed in the two Onychodactylus species described so far.
The study sheds light on the type of evolution that these salamanders have undergone, marked by the loss of their lungs, a mystery as they are vertebrates . "Comparing the species of this group of salamanders with others without lungs will allow us to better understand their alternative respiratory mechanisms with possible medical applications in the future," the CSIC researcher stressed.
