Biodiv Sci ›› 2026, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (6): 26002.  DOI: 10.17520/biods.2026002

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Revision of the checklist of amphibian species in Guangxi, China

Weicai Chen1,2*, Guohua Yu3, Yunming Mo4, Yongjian Bei5   

  1. 1 Key Laboratory of Environment Change and Resources Use in Beibu Gulf, Ministry of Education, and Guangxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Intelligent Simulation, Nanning Normal University, Nanning 530001, China 

    2 Guangxi Jinzhongshan Forest Station of Ecological Quality Comprehensive Monitoring Station, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Baise, Guangxi 533400, China 

    3 Key Laboratory of Ecology of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection (Guangxi Normal University), Ministry of Education, Guilin, Guangxi 541004, China 

    4 Natural History Museum of Guangxi, Nanning 530012, China 

    5 Key Laboratory of Mountain Biodiversity Conservation, Education Department of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Yulin Normal University, Yulin, Guangxi 537000, China

  • Received:2026-01-04 Revised:2026-03-23 Accepted:2026-06-27 Online:2026-05-20
  • Contact: Weicai Chen

Abstract:

Aims: This study updates the checklist of amphibian species in Guangxi, China, by integrating taxonomic revisions and newly described species since 2015, thereby providing a scientific basis for conservation and management strategies. 

Methods: The revision was conducted through a comprehensive review of existing literature and specimen records. Key references included the Colored Atlas of Guangxi Amphibians (2014) and online databases such as AmphibiaChina (2025) and Amphibian Species of the World (2025). Species classification follows the system adopted by AmphibiaChina. 

Results: The updated checklist comprises 151 amphibian species in Guangxi, belonging to 3 orders, 12 families, and 40 genera, representing 20.5% of China’s total amphibian diversity (735 species). Compared with the 2014 checklist, 58 species have been added. The revision incorporates taxonomic updates for 1 family, 13 genera, and 39 species, along with the addition of 28 newly described species and 31 new records. According to the China Biodiversity Red List, 19 species are classified as threatened, including 2 Critically Endangered (CR), 10 Endangered (EN), and 7 Vulnerable (VU). Based on the IUCN Red List, 3 species are classified as Critically Endangered (CR), 9 as Endangered (EN), and 9 as Vulnerable (VU). The checklist includes 1 species listed as a National First-Class Protected Wildlife, 12 as National Second-Class Protected Wildlife, and 32 as Guangxi Key Protected Wildlife; additionally, 1 species is listed in CITES Appendix I and 5 in Appendix II. 

Conclusion: This revised checklist provides essential baseline data for biodiversity conservation and habitat management in Guangxi. To address uncertainties regarding species distributions and cryptic diversity—particularly within genera such as Boulenophrys and Leptobrachella—further molecular studies combined with intensified field surveys are strongly recommended.

Key words: checklist revision, new species, new records, conservation, species inventory