The genus Paramesotriton is known as Asian warty newts, and endemic to China and northern Vietnam (Wu et al., 2009; Sparreboom, 2014). In Vietnam, there are two species distributed in the northern part of the country, including P. guangxiensis and P. deloustali (Nguyen et al., 2009; Pham et al., 2017).

Guangxi warty newt (P. guangxiensis) is listed as Endangered (EN) in the IUCN Red List because of its restricted distribution as well as continuing declined population and their habitat (IUCN 2020). In Vietnam, the distribution of the species was assumed in Cao Bang Province (Nguyen et al., 2009; Pham et al., 2017). On the other hand, Vietnam warty newt (P. deloustali) was first detected from the Tam Dao National Park. After that, it has been recorded in other regions in northern Vietnam, including Bac Kan, Ha Giang, Yen Bai, Tuyen Quang, Thai Nguyen, Lao Cai, and Quang Ninh provinces (Nguyen et al., 2009; Sparreboom, 2014). The species is also facing main threats such as habitat loss due to expanding agriculture, logging, slash and burn forest land, pollution, and wildlife trade, therefore, leading to populations declines (Sparreboom 2014, IUCN 2017).

Up to now, there had been no detailed study on the warty newt in Vietnam, and many areas are still poorly surveys or have never been surveyed for newts diversity, especially for P. guangxinensis. Therefore, the knowledge on population status, suitable habitat, distribution is still unclear. The project will combine Ecological niche modelling and Phylogeography approach to assess the diversity and distribution of these species in the genus. The results of the project will expand the knowledge on the genus and contribute significantly to conserving in Vietnam.