Study On The Population Distribution And Breeding Water Characteristics Of Maolan Wart Salamander In Maolan National Nature Reserve

Tylototriton maolanensis is a newly revised species as a cryptic species taxonomically belonging togenus Tylototriton.It is currently only found in the karst forest area of Maolan National Nature Reserve,and there is still insufficient research.In order to gain a deeper understanding of Tylototriton maolanensis and to find out the population and distribution characteristics of Maolan Karst Forest and its habitat selection for breeding waters,this paper conducts a sampling survey during the breeding period and conducts a survey of karst forests in Maolan National Nature Reserve.The distribution of Tylototriton maolanensis was investigated and the results showed that:(1)Tylototriton maolanensis is distributed in the karst forests of Wengang,Yongkang,Dongtang and Sanchahe in Maolan Nature Reserve,with a wide range of distribution.The breeding period is distributed in water bodies such as groundwater outcrops and water ponds formed by rainfall.The breeding water body is relatively gentle.During the non-breeding period,it often inhabits the moist humus near the breeding water body and the stone caves under the roots of the trees.(2)The population of Tylototriton maolanensis in Maolan karst forest was 1528,and the population density is 127.12±92.93individuals/km².Tylototriton maolanensis began to reproduce and migrate in late February.The population in the breeding waters was the largest from late March to mid-April and reached the prosperous period.The population in the breeding waters decreased significantly in May.In April,Tylototriton maolanensis had the largest number of breeding waters.Among them,the number of Tylototriton maolanensis in the Dongtang area was the largest,and the number of breeding waters was the largest.Among the investigated breeding waters,the average number of Tylototriton maolanensis in the Wengang area was the largest.(3)The difference test analysis showed that there are significant differences in 8 factors of water depth,coverage,water quality,vegetation type,water flow,natural or artificial water body,permanent or temporary water body,and pond substrate composition between breeding grounds and non-breeding grounds.Altitude,area,distance from the nearest road,and the presence or absence of potential competitors or predators in the four habitat factors are not significantly different.Tylototriton maolanensis is obviously inclined to choose humus as the substrate of the pond,the vegetation type is evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved mixed forest,the water depth is 0.1-0.5m,the coverage is 60%-85%of the static water,clear,permanent,natural water body.Altitude,water area,the existence of other species(potential competitors and predators),and the distance from the road have no significant influence on the selection of breeding sites.(4)The selection function of Tylototriton maolanensis breeding habitat resources is:Logistic P=-0.294-14.294×water depth+0.073×coverage,and the selection probability of breeding habitat is P=e ^{Logistic P}/(1+e ^{Logistic P}).The correct prediction rate of the breeding area model was 89.5%.Water depth and coverage are the main factors affecting the selection of breeding waters during the breeding period of Tylototriton maolanensis.This study has initially grasped the population,distribution characteristics and habitat selection of Tylototriton maolanensis in the karst forests of Maolan National Nature Reserve,and analyzed the main factors affecting the habitat selection of Tylototriton maolanensis breeding waters.This is the first in-depth study of the number and habitat selection of this new species.The research results are of great significance to the conservation management and follow-up research of Tylototriton maolanensis population.