Abstract:

Aim: To collate and report on new vertebrate taxa in China published in 2024. 

Method: This paper summarizes the basic information about new vertebrate taxa in China from the academic literature published in 2024. 

Results: In 2024, 133 new vertebrate taxa were recognized in China, including 97 new species, 24 species not previously reported in China, and 7 subspecies elevated to species rank, in addition, one new subspecies was described, and 4 species were reinstated as valid. These taxa belong to 16 orders, 47 families, and 87 genera. Among them, there are 40 new species of fish; 30 species of amphibian, including 25 new species and 5 newly recorded species in China; 43 species of reptile, including 28 new species and 10 newly recorded species in China, in addition, plus 1 new subspecies and 4 reinstated valid species; 10 species of bird, including 6 subspecies elevated to species rank and 4 newly recorded in China; 10 species of mammal, including 4 new species, 5 newly recorded in China, and 1 subspecies elevated to species rank. Ectothermic vertebrates account 85% of new discoveries; most representative orders were Cypriniformes (28/40) for fish, Anura (26/30) for amphibians, Squamata (39/43) for reptiles, Passeriformes (8/10) for birds, and Eulipotyphla (5/10) for mammals. These 133 new vertebrate taxa were recorded across 34 provincial-level regions. Most species (114) were found in only one region, while Yunnan, Guangxi, Xizang, Guangdong, and Fujian were the top five regions, with 46, 25, 18, 18, and 13 species recorded, respectively. A total of 111 of these discovered species have been supported by molecular systematics. Most findings (126 taxa) were published in 28 academic journals, with 15 of which were published in 4 English journals and 9 of which were published in 3 Chinese journals in China. 

Conclusion: This article provides essential baseline data for the classification and conservation of vertebrates in China. In addition, it highlights that ectothermic vertebrates are a major focus of current diversity research, and underscores the importance of an integrated taxonomic approach for future studies.

Key words: vertebrates, new species, new record, China