New Species of Crocodile Newt Discovered in Myanmar: Implications for Biodiversity

New Species of Crocodile Newt Discovered in Myanmar: Implications for Biodiversity

Question: A new species of crocodile newt was discovered in Myanmar recently. Discuss the significance of this discovery for this region’s biodiversity.

Team of Japanese and Chinese biologists have discovered a new species of crocodile newts in Myanmar

About the Crocodile Newts

• Some 20 species of crocodile newts, also called knobby newts on account of blunt protrusions on their back are found in the following regions: Myanmar, China, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Nepal, India and Bhutan

• A majority of these medium to large sized newts have been identified only in the past 10 years and most are legally protected on paper at least

• Taunggyi is the location where the newts mostly terrestrial stay under lock, logs, debris in the vicinity of permanent or temporary shallow ponds, marshes, ditches to which they migrate in the rainy season for breeding

• This new species was earlier thought to be the wide ranging Himalayan crocodile newt

• Identification of the Shan crocodile newt as a genetically distinct species stimulate local research into its habitat requirements and life cycle

Implications

• This is a forerunner of a new amphibian species wave waiting for description and study through exploration of the hidden biodiversity of this region

• New species discovered in and around Taunggyi, capital of Shan State in Myanmar is threatened by the following however:

- Habitat Loss
- Degradation and fragmentation
- Commercial exploitation
• Taxonomists from Kyoto University and Kunming Institute of Zoology have named the new species Tylototriton shanorum, dedicating it to the people of Shan State

• This new narrow range species is threatened and timely conservation measures are needed for the Shan crocodile newt

• Discovery of this crocodile newt will stimulate research into lifecycle and habitat requirements which are needed for effective conservation

• The new species is also threatened by over-harvesting and global pet trade

• Hidden amphibian diversity is the new discovery for this region; Morphological analysis and DNA testing of these specimens indicate there may be 50 to 100 new species of frogs awaiting scientific description

• Myanmar has some of the most extensive intact forest in Southeast Asia despite huge amounts of deforestation

• This is one of the region’s most biologically diverse nations

Some of the threats facing biodiversity in Myanmar include:

• Wildlife poaching
• Legal and illegal logging
• Extensive conversion of forest land for agri business

Facts and Stats

• WWF recently featured the newly discovered crocodile newt in the Magical Mekong report

• In total, the report says, more than 800 amphibian and reptile species, 430 mammals, 1,200 birds, 1,100 fish and 20,000 plant species call this region home