Wawushan & Longchi

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Amphibians in Wawushan Mountain National Forest Park

Wawushan Mountain National Forest Park, named because the center of mount Wawushan looks like the roof of one of the local tile houses, is located between 102 degrees 51' - 103 degrees 20'E and 29 degrees 31' - 29 degrees 51'N, and is about 40km from Mt. Emei. The natural conditions of a temperate climate (mean 10.7 C per year), humid air (86-93%) and abundant rainfall (about 2397.4mm per year) are very suitable for amphibians.

31 species of amphibians are founded in the park, belonging to eight families: Hynobidae (1 spp.); Cryptobranchidae (1 spp.); Bufonidae (1 spp.); Hylidae (1 spp.); Pelobatidae (12sp); Ranidae (10 spp.); Rhacophoridae (4 spp.) and Microhylidae (1 spp.). Of these, 11 are new records for the Park and 2 are new species. More surveys are expected to reveal further species.

Though most of these species are faring well, attention should be paid to species such as Scutiger chintingensis, first found on Mt. Emei at an elevation of 3000m or so in 1950 by Liu, C.C.. Since then, the population has been getting smaller and smaller. The species is currently very difficult to find at this location, possibly due to tourism pressures. 

Fortunately, it was also discovered at Mt. Wawushan at an elevation of 2500m, and this population is thought to be large and quite stable. It is necessary and important to monitor the variation in this population and analyse the related factors.

Another case is that of Batrachuperus pinchonii, which is found in a dry stream at the foot of Mt. Wawushan. Most of them have been found at Yuanxi, Yangxi and Lanxi. The population at Yangxi has declined dramatically.