CR

Hynobius guabangshanensis

Declining

Overview

Hynobius guabangshanensis is a species of salamander in the family Hynobiidae, endemic to China, as it is only known from the locality from where it was described as a new species to science in 2004, at Guabang Shan Tree Farm in Qiyang County of Hunan Province. Its natural habitats are temperate shrubland, swamps, freshwater marshes, and seasonally flooded agricultural land.

Hynobius guabangshanensis faces severe threats from rapid habitat destruction in its extremely limited range in Hunan Province, China. The species is critically endangered due to deforestation, agricultural expansion, and infrastructure development that fragments and destroys the montane forest streams essential for its reproduction. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering precipitation patterns and stream flow regimes that this salamander depends upon for breeding.

Threat summary

Habitat

This salamander inhabits cool, clear mountain streams and adjacent forested areas in the montane regions of Hunan Province, China. It requires pristine aquatic environments with stable water temperatures and high oxygen levels for successful reproduction and larval development.

Forest· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionSpecies managementSpecies recoveryCompliance and enforcement

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Hynobius guabangshanensis classified as Critically Endangered?
Hynobius guabangshanensis is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Hynobius guabangshanensis faces severe threats from rapid habitat destruction in its extremely limited range in Hunan Province, China. The species is critically endangered due to deforestation, agricultural expansion, and infrastructure development that fragments and destroys the montane forest streams essential for its reproduction. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering precipitation patterns and stream flow regimes that this salamander depends upon for breeding.
Where does Hynobius guabangshanensis live?
Hynobius guabangshanensis occurs in China. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Hynobius guabangshanensis?
The main threats to Hynobius guabangshanensis are 2.1, 5.1, 5.1.1, and 5.2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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