A New Species of Pachytriton (Amphibia: Caudata: Salamandridae) from Anhui, China

China is a global hotspot for amphibian biodiversity, yet under-explored montane regions harbor undiscovered cryptic species. Using integrative taxonomy, we describe a new salamandrid species, <i>Pachytriton cheni</i> sp. nov., from Qingliangfeng Nature Reserve, Anhui. Phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial (<i>ND2</i>, <i>cytb</i>) and nuclear (<i>RAG1</i>, <i>POMC</i>) genes strongly support it as a monophyletic sister lineage to <i>P. granulosus</i>, with significant mitochondrial <i>p</i>-distances (4.39-10.22%) and unique nuclear haplotypes. Bayes factor species delimitation under the multispecies coalescent model (MSC) decisively rejects conspecificity with <i>P. granulosus</i> (2lnBF = 24.52). Morphologically, it is diagnosed by its small size; oval, narrow head (length > width); nearly black dorsum lacking bright orange spots; smooth skin; occipital V-shaped ridge; orange-red abdomen with brown markings; prominent neck folds; and minimal digit gap when limbs are adpressed. This discovery increases <i>Pachytriton</i> species to ten, highlights high-elevation montane ecosystems as key biodiversity refuges in East China, and underscores the need for further surveys to clarify the genus's phylogeny.