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xinhua news agency, london, october 5 (reporter guo shuang) a new study jointly completed by british and chinese researchers shows that the chinese giant salamander, which is listed as an internationally critically endangered species, may include 9 species. researchers say the discovery has important implications for saving these ancient animals from extinction, and protecting these species is a race against time.

the chinese giant salamander, commonly known as the "baby fish", can reach a length of about 1.8 meters and is the largest existing amphibian in the world. the origin of the chinese giant salamander can be traced back to the jurassic era. because their appearance has remained unchanged for millions of years, they are also known as "living fossils."

the chinese giant salamander was once thought to be a single species distributed in central and southern china. however, in a new study published on the 4th in the international academic journal "journal of the evolutionary society of the linnean society", the zoological society of london, uk, and chinese researchers used genetic data to confirm that the chinese giant salamander is actually composed of animals distributed in different rivers. the system consists of multiple unique species. although they are similar in appearance, chinese giant salamanders have genetically diverged into at least seven species, with most models supporting nine species.

samuel turvey, one of the authors of the paper and a researcher at the institute of zoology of the zoological society of london, said that although researchers have previously suggested that the chinese giant salamander may not be a single species, by comparing the degree of genetic differences between giant salamander populations with other known giant salamander species "we can now confirm this with certainty".

ben tarpley, one of the authors of the paper and curator of reptiles and amphibians at the london zoo, said in an interview with xinhua news agency on the 5th: "our research shows that the chinese giant salamander includes as many as 9 different species, but only 4 only two have been assessed by the iucn for conservation status, and both species are listed as critically endangered. the remaining species also meet the criteria, indicating the need for urgent action to ensure that relevant conservation laws are adequate. protect these precious animals.”

tarpley said the possibility of the chinese giant salamander becoming extinct in the wild is very high, and cooperation must be achieved through the cooperation of all parties to prevent these ancient animals from going extinct. (over)