Research reveals nine critically endangered salamander species in China
Recent state-of-the-art research has verified that there are nine distinct species of the critically endangered Chinese giant salamander.
TroibNews 
Recent advancements in research have established that there are nine distinct species of the critically endangered Chinese giant salamander. This finding was published in the Evolutionary Journal of the Linnean Society and is the result of a study led by a conservation charity affiliated with London Zoo, shedding new light on this ancient creature.
Researchers from the Zoological Society of London, an international conservation charity focused on scientific approaches, collaborated with partners in China to analyze genetic data on the world’s largest amphibian, previously considered a singular species inhabiting regions of central and southern China.
Chinese giant salamanders can reach lengths of up to 1.8 meters. Their loose, baggy skin allows them to absorb oxygen from the water, while tiny sensors on their bodies detect vibrations from potential prey such as worms, crustaceans, small fish, and frogs, compensating for their limited eyesight.
"There is a high likelihood that Chinese giant salamanders face extinction in the wild, and it is extremely important to work collaboratively to prevent extinction being the fate of these ancient animals," stated Ben Tapley, curator of reptiles and amphibians at London Zoo and a co-author of the study.
"Our research shows that there are up to nine different species of Chinese giant salamander, but only four have been named by scientists, and only two have had their conservation status assessed, with both being categorized as critically endangered," Tapley remarked.
"Chinese giant salamanders are recognized as critically endangered. All of the species we've now identified are at high risk of disappearing forever," commented Samuel Turvey, a researcher at ZSL and another author of the paper. "If we are to avoid losing the world's largest amphibians, we need to act urgently to ensure that these newly recognized species are formally recognized and legally protected."
"The possibility that Chinese giant salamanders may not be a single species has been suggested by researchers for 20 years, but by comparing levels of genetic difference seen across giant salamander populations with differences shown by other known salamander species, we can now confirm this for sure," Turvey emphasized.
Emily Johnson for TROIB News
Researchers from the Zoological Society of London, an international conservation charity focused on scientific approaches, collaborated with partners in China to analyze genetic data on the world’s largest amphibian, previously considered a singular species inhabiting regions of central and southern China.
Chinese giant salamanders can reach lengths of up to 1.8 meters. Their loose, baggy skin allows them to absorb oxygen from the water, while tiny sensors on their bodies detect vibrations from potential prey such as worms, crustaceans, small fish, and frogs, compensating for their limited eyesight.
"There is a high likelihood that Chinese giant salamanders face extinction in the wild, and it is extremely important to work collaboratively to prevent extinction being the fate of these ancient animals," stated Ben Tapley, curator of reptiles and amphibians at London Zoo and a co-author of the study.
"Our research shows that there are up to nine different species of Chinese giant salamander, but only four have been named by scientists, and only two have had their conservation status assessed, with both being categorized as critically endangered," Tapley remarked.
"Chinese giant salamanders are recognized as critically endangered. All of the species we've now identified are at high risk of disappearing forever," commented Samuel Turvey, a researcher at ZSL and another author of the paper. "If we are to avoid losing the world's largest amphibians, we need to act urgently to ensure that these newly recognized species are formally recognized and legally protected."
"The possibility that Chinese giant salamanders may not be a single species has been suggested by researchers for 20 years, but by comparing levels of genetic difference seen across giant salamander populations with differences shown by other known salamander species, we can now confirm this for sure," Turvey emphasized.
Emily Johnson for TROIB News
