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The Japanese Giant Salamander
The Giant Salamanders, the largest living amphibians, belong to family
Cryptobranchoidea (interesting name, isn't it?). In spite of this giant
salamanders are significantly less known by the large public than their
analogous in reptiles' world, the Komodo Dragons. The family
Cryptobranchoide has two genus with one (Cryptobabranchus alleganiensis)
respectively two species (Andrias davidianus, A. japonicus). A. japonicus
is restricted to Japan, A. davidianus in China while C. alleganiensis lives
in North America. A. japonicus lives in the cold fast flowing mountain
streams and smaller rivers of Kyushu Island and western Honshu in Japan.
Thirty million years old fossilized Giant Salamanders have been found in
Europe as well. The giant salamanders are considered true "biological
relicts". Leading scientists admit that they did not evolve in the last 20-
30 million years. For scientist these rather primitive salamanders are
clues to the understanding of the roots of Earth's biodiversity. As their
way of life has not changed significantly students of Giant Salamanders may
provide insightful information on the ecosystems that existed million years
ago.
In spite of their relatively large body size and somewhat frightening
looks they are totally harmless to humans. Unfortunately the opposite is
not true. Both A. japonicus and A. davidianus are threatened with
extinction. Until the early 50's Japanese Giant Salamanders were an
important protein source for the local population. They were caught by
fishing rod and were considered a true delicatessen. Accelerated
degradation of natural habitats represents today a bigger threat to the
Giant Salamanders that hunting, or illegal killing by fishermen. Being old
species Giant Salamanders might lost their genetical plasticity. It is well
known that the older a species is the harder it adapts to new conditions.
A. japonicus is considered an important environmental symbol. Many
aspects of their life have not been elucidated, yet. A surprisingly small
amount of scientific papers deal with them. Partly because of their
restricted spreading area, partly because their size. Scientist face much
more ethical issues with larger species than with the smaller ones. The
risk of extinction and the limited spreading area rises even more the moral
and ethical problems. The financial efforts are considerable as well.
Biology of Andrias japonicus
A. japonicus lives to the age of 50 years, growing continuously
throughout their lives they may reach a body size of 150 cm and a body
weight of 25-30 kg. They can breathe both on land and in water. The skin
that absorbs oxygen direct from the water allows them to stay immersed for
longer periods. Unlike most salamanders they never |