Chinese giant salamander: Difference between revisions
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{{Taxobox |
{{Taxobox |
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| name = Chinese giant |
| name = Chinese giant salesman |
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| status = CR | status_system = IUCN3.1 |
| status = CR | status_system = IUCN3.1 |
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| image = 2009 Andrias davidianus.JPG |
| image = 2009 Andrias davidianus.JPG |
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Revision as of 20:34, 8 November 2013
| Chinese giant salesman | |
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| Scientific classification | |
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| Species: | A. davidianus
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| Binomial name | |
| Andrias davidianus (Blanchard, 1871)
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| Synonyms | |
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Megalobatrachus davidianus (Reviewed by Liu, 1950)[1] | |
The Chinese giant salamander (Andrias davidianus) is the largest salamander and largest amphibian in the world, reaching a length of 180 cm (6 ft), although it rarely – if ever – reaches that size today. It is endemic to rocky, mountain streams and lakes in China, as well as Taiwan, probably as a result of introduction.[2] It is considered critically endangered due to habitat loss, pollution, and overcollection, as it is considered a delicacy and used in folk medicine. It has been listed as one of the top 10 "focal species" in 2008 by the Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) project.
Description and behavior
It has a large head, small eyes, and dark and wrinkly skin. It is one of only two extant species in the genus Andrias, the other being the slightly smaller, but otherwise very similar Japanese giant salamander (Andrias japonicus). The Chinese giant salamander feeds on insects, frogs, and fish. It has very poor eyesight, so depends on special sensory nodes that run in a line on the creature's body, from head to tail. They are capable of sensing the slightest vibrations around them with the help of these nodes.[3] The female lays 400-500 eggs in an underwater breeding cavity, which is guarded by the male until the eggs hatch after 50–60 days.[2] The average adult salamander weighs 25–30 kg (55-66 lb) and is 1.15 m (3.8 ft) in length.[4]
The giant salamander is known to vocalize, making barking, whining, hissing, or crying sounds.[5] Some of these vocalizations bear a striking resemblance to the crying of a young human child, and as such it is known in the Chinese language as "infant fish" (娃娃鱼 / 鲵).[6]
The Chinese giant salamander is one of the largest known amphibian species, reaching lengths of up to 5 ft and a weight of 80 lb. Its habitat has recently suffered in the past few decades due to habitat loss and overharvesting. Consequently, many salamanders are now farmed in mesocosms across China. Furthermore, previously built concrete dams that destroyed the salamander’s habitat are now fitted with stairs so the giant Chinese salamander can easily navigate the dam and make it back to its niche.
In captivity
A medium-sized specimen, approximately 3 ft (0.91 m) long, was kept for several years at the Steinhart Aquarium in San Francisco, California, and now is on display again in the "Water Planet" section of the new California Academy of Sciences building.[7] As of early 2008, ISIS records only show five individuals held in US zoos (Zoo Atlanta, Cincinnati Zoo, and Saint Louis Zoological Park), and an additional four in European zoos (Zoo Dresden and Rotterdam Zoo).[8] There are also two in residence at the Los Angeles Zoo. Additional individuals are likely kept in non-ISIS zoos and animals parks in its native China, such as Shanghai Zoo. Several of them are kept in the aquaria of Shanghai and Xian. It has been bred in captivity, but whether this can be achieved to an extent where the pressure on the wild populations is reduced is doubtful.[2]
Taxonomy
The correct scientific name of this species has been argued to be Andrias scheuchzeri (in which case Andrias davidianus would be a junior synonym) – a name otherwise restricted to an extinct species described from Swiss fossils.[9]
Decline in population
In the past, the populous Chinese giant salamander lived along the Yangtze, Yellow, and Pearl Rivers, eighteen provinces in China, and the city of Chongqing. However, since the 1950s, the population has declined rapidly because of habitat destruction and overhunting. The Chinese giant salamander has been listed as Critically Endangered in the Chinese Red Book of Amphibians and Reptiles. Despite the Chinese Government listing the salamander as a Class II Protected Species, 100 salamanders are hunted illegally every year in the Hupingshan Natural Reserve alone. Prior to the 1980s, Chinese giant salamanders were abundant and easily found. Today, when researchers search for salamanders, their attempts are fruitless. The Chinese giant salamander is on the verge of extinction, but many provinces still purchase thousands of salamanders for consumption. Also, despite the 14 nature reserves, populations are still declining, with salamanders becoming more difficult to find. The giant salamanders, which once used to be recorded at 6 feet in length, now rarely, if ever, reach this size due to overhunting and resulting natural selection favoring smaller salamanders.
References
- ^ "Amphibian Species of the World - Andrias davidianus (Blanchard, 1871)". Research.amnh.org. Retrieved 2010-02-04.
- ^ a b c Andrias davidianus -Amphibiaweb
- ^ "World's Weirdest Creatures". Noeman.org. Retrieved 2010-02-04.
- ^ Wood, The Guinness Book of Animal Facts and Feats. Sterling Pub Co Inc (1983), ISBN 978-0-85112-235-9
- ^ Stebbins, Robert C.; Cohen, Nathan W. (1997), A Natural History of Amphibians, Princeton University Press, ISBN 978-0-691-10251-1
- ^ Largest Base for Endangered Giant Salamander Underway, Xinhua News Agency, 2006-08-18
- ^ "Exhibits of the California Academy of Sciences". Calacademy.org. Retrieved 2010-02-04.
- ^ Andrias davidianus in zoos - ISIS
- ^ Amphibian Species of the World 5.2. Genus Andrias. Retrieved 2008-12-28.