Picture of a Ichthyophis yangi, the newly discovered species in Yunnan province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Chinese scientists have discovered a new species of caecilian in Southwest China's Yunnan province, marking a significant addition to the country's biodiversity, the Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences has announced.
The discovery of Ichthyophis yangi, a limbless caecilian amphibian, is the second known species of its kind in the country and the first unstriped species of Ichthyophis found in China, according to the paper published in the journal of Asian Herpetological Research last year.
Picture of a Ichthyophis bannanica, the other known species of Ichthyophis found in China. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
"This elusive, underground-dwelling creature is found in a single, limited location, emphasizing its vulnerability and the urgent need for conservation efforts," said Rao Dingqi, associate researcher at the institute.
Ichthyophis yangi was discovered under a stone in farmland adjacent to a stream, suggesting that it may have specific habitat requirements that are not widely available or are easily disrupted by human activities, according to the institute.
A specimen map of Ichthyophis bannanica. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
The species has a limited distribution, being currently known only from Maandi village in Jinping county, Yunnan.
Amphibians are often sensitive to environmental changes, including pollution, habitat destruction, and climate fluctuations, which could negatively impact the population of Ichthyophis yangi, making them rarer. Some species of caecilians have low reproductive rates or specific breeding requirements, which can contribute to their rarity if their offspring have low survival rates, Rao said.
The living environment of Ichthyophis bannanica in Yunnan. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
"The finding not only enriches our understanding of global biodiversity but also underscores the potential for further species discovery in understudied regions," he said.
The rarity and unique characteristics of Ichthyophis yangi demand immediate attention to protect it from habitat loss and other environmental pressures, highlighting the importance of continued scientific research and conservation initiatives, the expert said.
