New species of caecilian discovered in Yunnan province

Chinese scientists have discovered a new species of caecilian in Yunnan province, marking a significant addition to the country's biodiversity, the Kunming Institute of Zoology at the 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 a paper published last year in the journal Asian Herpetological Research.

"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, an associate researcher at the institute.

Ichthyophis yangi was discovered under a stone in farmland adjacent to a stream, suggesting it may have specific habitat requirements that are not widely available or are easily disrupted by human activities, the institute stated.

The new species is considered rare and difficult to find due to several factors, the scientists explained. Only five of them were found during multiple investigations, indicating an extremely low population density.

Their scarcity further complicates efforts to locate them in the wild.

"This restricted range means the population is confined to a small number of habitats, making it more vulnerable to local extinctions," Rao said.

Amphibians are often sensitive to environmental changes, including pollution, habitat destruction and climate fluctuations, which could negatively impact the population of Ichthyophis yangi, Rao explained.

Additionally, some caecilian species have low reproductive rates or specific breeding requirements, which can contribute to their rarity if offspring survival rates are low.

"The finding not only enriches our understanding of global biodiversity but also underscores the potential for further species discovery in understudied regions," Rao 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 efforts, the researchers emphasized.

"The discovery of Ichthyophis yangi not only adds to the global amphibian database, but also serves as a call to action for the protection of these ancient creatures and their habitats," Rao said.

"This discovery highlights the underestimated biodiversity in China and suggests that further exploration could uncover more species, emphasizing the need for ongoing research and conservation initiatives," he added.

To conserve this newly discovered species, it is crucial to implement strict protective measures and conduct further studies to understand its biology, ecology and specific threats, the institute said.

yandongjie@chinadaily.com.cn