A statistical assessment of conservation status of 11 Chinese species of amphibia (caudata)
WANG Hong-yuan1, CHAI Li-hong1,2, LI Xin-yi1, ZHANG Yu-hui1*
(1 College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi′an 710062, Shaanxi, China； 2 Environmental Science and Engineering College, Chang′an University, Xi′an 710064, Shaanxi, China)
Abstract:
Ten factors, including annual reproductive times, clutch size and habitat range, etc., were used to assess the living status of 11 Chinese urodeles. Each factor was divided into four grades. The values, 0, 1, 2, and 3, were assigned respecitvely to the grades. The values are indicators of magnitude of the grade. The higher the grade is, the bigger the threat of animals is. The average values of the 11 factors were ranged from 1.2 to 1.9. Based on the assessments the average values of 73% species are larger than 1.5, which indicates that most urodele amphibians are in danger in China. Natural reserves should be established to protect these endangered animals as soon as possible.
KeyWords:
amphibia; caudata; conservation status; China
