Maoershan Hynobiid
Hynobius maoershanensis
Photo: (c) p_concolor, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Overview
The Xingan salamander is a species of salamander in the family Hynobiidae, endemic to China: it is only known from its type locality, Mao'ershan in the Xing'an County, Guangxi. Its natural habitats are marshes and the surrounding forests. It is threatened by habitat loss and, living close to the summit of Mao'ershan at around 2,000 m (6,600 ft) asl, by climate change. It occurs within the Mao'ershan National Nature Reserve.
Hynobius maoershanensis faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion and infrastructure development in its limited montane range. The species' extremely restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to local environmental changes, while climate change poses additional risks by altering the cool, moist conditions essential for its survival. Water pollution from agricultural runoff and human settlements further degrades the pristine stream habitats this salamander requires for breeding.
Habitat
This salamander inhabits cool, moist montane forests with clear, fast-flowing streams at elevations between 1,200-1,800 meters in the Maoershan Mountains of Guangxi Province, China. It requires pristine aquatic environments for breeding and adjacent forest floor habitats with abundant leaf litter and fallen logs for terrestrial life stages.
Conservation measures underway
Other threatened species in HYNOBIIDAE
Threatened in China
Frequently asked questions
Why is Maoershan Hynobiid classified as Critically Endangered?
Where does Maoershan Hynobiid live?
What are the main threats to Maoershan Hynobiid?
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