Common names:
Chinese Giant Salamander [1].
Wawayu (Baby fish) [2].
Classification:
Kingdom - Animalia
Phylum - Chordata
Class - Amphibia
Order - Caudata
Family - Cryptobranchidae
Species - Andrias davidianus
Distribution:
Andrias davidianus occurs over a wide area of central, south-west, and southern China but in very fragmented populations (Figure 2) [1]. It is found at 100-1500m above sea level [1]. There are also records of this species elsewhere, which are likely the result of introductions [1].
Details:
This is the largest of all amphibian the species, growing up to 1.8-2m in length, which is about 60% tail [2,3]. An individual can weigh up to 50kg [2]. They can be found in hilly, forested areas with large streams [1]. The Chinese Giant Salamander has a long generation time, of 15 years [1]. The females lay a clutch of ~500 eggs in a burrow which are externally fertilised and protected by a male until hatching 50-60 days later [1,3]. The larvae develop independently, foraging after about 30 days [1]. Locally, they are referred to as 'baby fish' as their call sounds like a baby's cry [2].
Andrias davidianus is considered a delicacy and are traded internationally, there are farms set up to supply demand but many of the specimens traded are wild-caught [1]. This, along with other threats, have resulted in an 80% population decline over the last three generations [1, 2]. This species is listed as Class II major protected species in China, which makes hunting illegal, and on Appendix 1 of CITES [1, 2, 3]. There are also a number of protected nature reserves within this species' range in which it resides, some of which the Salamander is their main conservation target [1]. Despite the protections, however, the populations are declining rapidly [1].
Threats to the species:
Hunting for trade [1].
Dam construction and habitat loss [1].
Pollution from mining [1].
Logging and agro-forestry [1].
Mining [2].
Similar species:
References:
[1] IUCN Red List. (2004). Chinese Giant Salamander, Andrias davidianus. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/1272/3375181. [Accessed 5 May 2019].
[2] Wang, X. M. et al. (2004) ‘The decline of the Chinese giant salamander Andrias davidianus and implications for its conservation’, Oryx, 38(2), pp. 197–202. doi: 10.1017/S0030605304000341.
[3] Edge of Existence. (n.d.). Chinese Giant Salamander. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.edgeofexistence.org/species/chinese-giant-salamander/. [Accessed 5 May 2019].
Photo: Edge of Existence. (n.d.). Chinese Giant Salamander. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.edgeofexistence.org/species/chinese-giant-salamander/. [Accessed 5 May 2019].
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