A total of 21 new amphibian and reptile species as well as two new subspecies were discovered in China in 2017, according to a recent academic report.
Amphibian is a cold-blooded vertebrate animal of a class that comprises the frogs, toads, newts, salamanders, and caecilians while reptile is vertebrate animal of a class that includes snakes, lizards, crocodiles, turtles, and tortoises.
The new species and subspecies belong to 16 genuses in 10 families, four orders, the report said.
Unlike in 2016, when most newly-discovered species were from southwest China’s Yunnan Province and Tibet Autonomous Region.
The new species found in 2017 had a vast distribution, stretching more than 10 municipalities and provinces, according to Wang Kai, Author of the report and Researcher with the Kunming Institute of Zoology.
Kai said researchers also spotted a further two amphibian and reptile species that were never before seen in China.
China was home to 465 amphibians and 481 reptiles at the end of 2017, Wang said. (Xinhua/NAN)
