Discovery of a wild, genetically pure Chinese giant salamander creates new conservation opportunities

Effective conservation of threatened biota relies on accurate assessments and scientific guidance. As an unfortunate example, Chinese giant salamanders (Andrias, 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 Andrias jiangxiensis sp. nov. This is the only known species of CGS today with a genetically pure, reproducing, in situ 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.

对受威胁生物类群的有效保护，依赖于精准的评估与科学的指导。令人遗憾的是，中国大鲵（Andrias，CGS）目前仍处于野外极度濒危状态。此前存在的误导性保护举措，例如商业化繁育并放归数百万极可能为非本土或种间杂交种的个体，进一步损害了保护工作的推进。中国大鲵野生种群相关信息的匮乏，给保护工作带来了重大挑战。经过长达18个月的野外监测，我们近日报道了在中国江西省一处封闭型自然保护区内发现的中国大鲵野生种群。基因组评估结果显示该种群具有独特的遗传特征，且未检测到与其他物种的遗传混杂现象。基于形态学与分子生物学证据，我们将该种群描述为一个新种——江西大鲵（Andrias jiangxiensis sp. nov.）。这是目前已知唯一拥有遗传纯正、可自然繁殖的原位种群的中国大鲵物种。此次发现凸显了封闭型自然保护区在物种保护中的重要作用，同时也证明了将长期野外监测与基因组评估相结合的必要性。该研究为濒危物种的发现与保护开辟了新路径，尤其适用于那些因人为移殖与过度开发而濒临局部灭绝的生物类群。