Resurvey After 20 Years: Updating the Distribution, Population, and Potential Threats of the Chinting Alpine Toad

作者：Yuezheng FAN, Qingfeng Chen, Yuwen Cheng, Kaicheng Tang, Ling Sun, Yonghao HUANG, Lan Zhao, Dong Liang, Xiao Yi Wang, Junhua Hu · 发表于：Asian Herpetological Research · 年份：2024 · DOI：10.3724/ahr.2095-0357.2023.0043 · 被引用次数：7 · 研究领域：Amphibian and Reptile Biology、Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior、Species Distribution and Climate Change

Considering the increased anthropogenic impacts, species with a limited range and low detectability often lack fundamental information and conservation actions, placing them at a high risk of endangerment. The Chinting alpine toad Scutiger chintingensis is a rare mountain amphibian endemic to the eastern margin of the Qinghai–Xizang Plateau in China. Within its whole distribution range, only three known populations (Wolong, Emei, and Wawu) exist and no recent population status reports have documented for this species over the past two decades. From 2020 to 2023, we investigated the species distribution, and assessed the risk factors for the main populations. We recorded this species in all distribution areas, updated a new distribution site with a lower elevation limit. The relative population density was 0.024 ± 0.012 ind./m 2 on Mount Emei, whereas only 0.008 ± 0.017 ind./m 2 on Mount Wawu. No significant difference was observed in the number of individuals between the two populations; however, the relative population density was significantly different. Sewage and waste discharge resulting from the construction of scenic areas, as well as disturbances from tourism, were the primary anthropogenic factors that influenced the survival of this species. Our results provide the updated information on the distribution and population status of the Chinting alpine toad, and suggest that unrecorded populations, as well as a wider elevation range, may exist for this species. Our ...