CRCritically Endangered

Fuding Fire-bellied Newt

Cynops fudingensis

The Fuding fire belly newt is a rare species of newt in the family Salamandridae, endemic to China. It is only known from Fuding in northeastern Fujian, from the locality where it was described as a new species in 2010.

01Classification

Taxonomy & Classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Amphibia

Order

Caudata

Family

Salamandridae

Genus

Cynops

Fuding Fire-bellied Newt belongs to the family Salamandridae, order Caudata, within the Amphibia class.

02Description

Species Profile

The Fuding fire belly newt is a rare species of newt in the family Salamandridae, endemic to China. It is only known from Fuding in northeastern Fujian, from the locality where it was described as a new species in 2010. Although it is genetically similar to the Chinese fire belly newt, it is morphologically more similar to the Dayang fire belly newt. The range of C. fudingensis is separate from both other species.

The Fuding Fire-bellied Newt faces severe threats primarily from habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion, urban development, and infrastructure construction in its extremely limited range in Fujian Province, China. Water pollution from agricultural runoff and industrial activities further degrades the aquatic habitats essential for this species' survival. Climate change and the species' extremely small population size make it highly vulnerable to extinction.

Key Facts

IUCN StatusCritically Endangered (CR)
GroupAmphibians
04Threats

Threats

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IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered

The Fuding Fire-bellied Newt faces severe threats primarily from habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion, urban development, and infrastructure construction in its extremely limited range in Fujian Province, China. Water pollution from agricultural runoff and industrial activities further degrades the aquatic habitats essential for this species' survival. Climate change and the species' extremely small population size make it highly vulnerable to extinction.

Extremely small population size and restricted range

HighOngoing

Habitat loss and fragmentation from agriculture and urbanization

HighOngoing

Water pollution from agricultural and industrial sources

HighOngoing

Climate change impacts on aquatic habitats

MediumOngoing

Infrastructure development and road construction

MediumOngoing
Community

Community Sightings

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07Sources

Sources & Attribution

How to Cite

IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS

GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org

This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Fuding Fire-bellied Newt (Cynops fudingensis). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/fuding-fire-bellied-newt

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