Discovery of a wild, genetically pure Chinese giant salamander creates new conservation opportunities
Jing Chai, 中国科学院昆明动物研究所遗传资源与进化国家重点实验室, 云南 昆明650223, 中国, Chen-Qi Lu, Murong Yi, Nian-Hua Dai, Xiaodong Weng, Ming-Xiao Di, Yong Peng, Yongchao Tang, Qing-Hua Shan, Kai Wang, Huanzhang Liu, Haipeng Zhao, Jie-Qiong Jin, Ru-Jun Cao, Ping Lü, Lai-Chun Luo, Robert W. Murphy, Ya‐Ping Zhang, Jing Che, 江西省科学院生物资源研究所, 江西 南昌330096, 中国, 江西九岭山国家级自然保护区, 江西 靖安330600, 中国, 中国科学院水生生物研究所水生生物多样性与保护重点实验室, 湖北 武汉430072, 中国, 河南大学生命科学学院, 河南 开封475001, 中国, 江西省靖安县农业农村局, 江西 靖安330600, 中国, 中国科学院动物进化与遗传前沿交叉卓越创新中心, 云南 昆明650223, 中国, 中国科学院大学昆明生命科学学院, 云南 昆明 650204, 中国, Jiangxi Jiulingshan National Nature Reserve, Jing’an, Jiangxi 330600, China, Jing’an County Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Jing’an, Jiangxi 330600, China
Abstract
Effective conservation of threatened biota relies on accurate assessments and scientific guidance. As an unfortunate example, Chinese giant salamanders (<i>Andrias</i>, CGS) remain critically endangered in nature. Misguided conservation efforts, e.g., commercial propagation and releasing of millions of likely non-indigenous or interspecific hybrids, have further compromised conservation initiatives. Limited information on wild populations of CGS poses a significant conservation challenge. Following 18-month long field monitoring, we now report the discovery of a wild population of CGS in a closed nature reserve in Jiangxi Province, China. Genomic assessments reveal its genetic distinctiveness and do not detect genetic admixture with other species. Based on morphological and molecular evidences, we describe this CGS as a new species <i>Andrias jiangxiensis</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> This is the only known species of CGS today with a genetically pure, reproducing, <i>in situ</i> population. This discovery emphasizes the important role that closed nature reserves play in protecting species, and the necessity of integrating long-term field monitoring and genetic assessments. It sets a new pathway for discovering and conserving endangered species, especially for those biotas that are similarly being extirpated by anthropogenic translocations and overexploitation.