Editing Yangtze (section)

==Wildlife==

The Yangtze River has a high [[species richness]], including many [[Endemism|endemics]]. A high percentage of these are seriously threatened by human activities.<ref name=FishDiversity>Ye, S.; Li, Z.; Liu, J;, Zhang, T.; and Xie, S. (2011). ''Distribution, Endemism and Conservation Status of Fishes in the Yangtze River Basin, China''. pp. 41–66 in: Ecosystems Biodiversity, InTech. {{ISBN|978-953-307-417-7}}.</ref>

===Fish===
[[File:Acipenser sinensis.JPG|thumb|The two [[sturgeon]] species in the Yangtze (here [[Chinese sturgeon]]) are both seriously threatened.]]
{{As of|2011}}, 416 fish species are known from the Yangtze [[Drainage basin|basin]], including 362 that strictly are freshwater species. The remaining are also known from salt or [[brackish]] waters, such as the river's [[estuary]] or the [[East China Sea]]. This makes it one of the most species-rich rivers in Asia and by far the most species-rich in China (in comparison, the [[Pearl River (China)|Pearl River]] has almost 300 fish species and the [[Yellow River]] 160).<ref name=FishDiversity/> 178 fish species are endemic to the Yangtze River Basin.<ref name=FishDiversity/> Many are only found in some section of the river basin and especially the upper reach (above [[Yichang]], but below the headwaters in the [[Qinghai-Tibet Plateau]]) is rich with 279 species, including 147 Yangtze endemics and 97 strict endemics (found only in this part of the basin). In contrast, the headwaters, where the average altitude is above {{convert|4500|m|ft|abbr=on}}, are only home to 14 highly specialized species, but 8 of these are endemic to the river.<ref name=FishDiversity/> The largest orders in the Yangtze are [[Cypriniformes]] (280 species, including 150 endemics), [[Siluriformes]] (40 species, including 20 endemics), [[Perciformes]] (50 species, including 4 endemics), [[Tetraodontiformes]] (12 species, including 1 endemic) and [[Osmeriformes]] (8 species, including 1 endemic). No other order has more than four species in the river and one endemic.<ref name=FishDiversity/>

Many Yangtze fish species have declined drastically and 65 were recognized as [[Threatened species|threatened]] in the 2009 Chinese [[Regional Red List|red list]].<ref name=ThreatenedFish>Wang, S.; and Xie, Y. (2009). ''China species red list''. Vol. II Vertebrates – Part 1. High Education Press, Beijing, China.</ref> Among these are three that are considered entirely [[extinct]] ([[Chinese paddlefish]], ''[[Anabarilius liui liui]]'' and ''[[Atrilinea macrolepis]]''), two that are [[extinct in the wild]] (''[[Anabarilius polylepis]]'', ''[[Schizothorax parvus]]''), four that are [[critically endangered]]  ''[[Euchiloglanis kishinouyei]]'', ''[[Megalobrama elongata]]'', ''[[Schizothorax longibarbus]]'' and ''[[Leiocassis]] longibarbus'').<ref name=ThreatenedFish/><ref name="Animals 2020">{{cite web |date=January 8, 2020 |title=Chinese paddlefish, one of world's largest fish, declared extinct |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2020/01/chinese-paddlefish-one-of-largest-fish-extinct/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108130420/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2020/01/chinese-paddlefish-one-of-largest-fish-extinct/ |archive-date=January 8, 2020 |access-date=January 8, 2020 |website=Animals}}</ref> Additionally, both the [[Yangtze sturgeon]] and [[Chinese sturgeon]] are considered critically endangered by the [[IUCN]]. The survival of these two sturgeon may rely on the continued release of captive bred specimens.<ref name=IUCNAcipenserdabryanus>{{cite iucn |author=Qiwei, W. |date=2010 |title=''Acipenser dabryanus'' |volume=2010 |page=e.T231A174775412 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-1.RLTS.T231A174775412.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref><ref name=IUCNAcipensersinensis>{{cite iucn |author=Qiwei, W. |date=2010 |title=''Acipenser sinensis'' |volume=2010 |page=e.T236A13044272 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-1.RLTS.T236A13044272.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref> Although still listed as critically endangered rather than extinct by both the Chinese red list and IUCN, recent reviews have found that the Chinese paddlefish is extinct.<ref name="Yirka 2020">{{cite web | last=Yirka | first=Bob | title=Chinese paddlefish declared extinct | website=Phys.org | date=January 8, 2020 | url=https://phys.org/news/2020-01-chinese-paddlefish-declared-extinct.html | access-date=January 9, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108181752/https://phys.org/news/2020-01-chinese-paddlefish-declared-extinct.html | archive-date=January 8, 2020 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Cheung 2020">{{cite web | last=Cheung | first=Eric | title=Up to 23 feet long, the Chinese paddlefish was the giant of the Yangtze. And we killed it | work=CNN | date=January 7, 2020 | url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/07/asia/chinese-paddlefish-extinct-study-intl-hnk-scli/index.html | access-date=January 9, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200109010819/https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/07/asia/chinese-paddlefish-extinct-study-intl-hnk-scli/index.html | archive-date=January 9, 2020 | url-status=live }}</ref> Surveys conducted between 2006 and 2008 by [[ichthyologists]] failed to catch any, but two probable specimens were recorded with [[Hydroacoustics|hydroacoustic]] signals.<ref>{{cite journal | year = 2009 | title = Is there evidence that the Chinese paddlefish (Psephurus gladius) still survives in the upper Yangtze River? Concerns inferred from hydroacoustic and capture surveys, 2006–2008. | journal = Journal of Applied Ichthyology | volume = 25 | pages = 95–99 | doi = 10.1111/j.1439-0426.2009.01268.x  | last1 = Zhang | first1 = H. | last2 = Wei | first2 = Q. W. | last3 = Du | first3 = H. | last4 = Shen | first4 = L. | last5 = Li | first5 = Y. H. | last6 = Zhao | first6 = Y.| doi-access = free | bibcode = 2009JApIc..25...95Z }}</ref> The last definite record was an individual that was accidentally captured near Yibin in 2003 and released after having been [[Wildlife radio telemetry|radio tagged]].<ref name="Animals 2020"/> The Chinese sturgeon is the largest fish in the river and among the largest freshwater fish in the world, reaching a length of {{convert|5|m|ft|abbr=on}}; the extinct Chinese paddlefish reputedly reached as much as {{convert|7|m|ft|abbr=on}}, but its maximum size is labeled with considerable uncertainty.<ref>Meadows, D.; and Coll, H. (2013). ''[http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/statusreviews/sturgeon_5foreign.pdf Status Review Report of Five Foreign Sturgeon.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219084715/http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/statusreviews/sturgeon_5foreign.pdf |date=December 19, 2014 }}'' National Marine Fisheries Service, Report to Office of Protected Resources.</ref><ref name=IUCNPsephurusgladius>{{cite iucn |author=Qiwei, W. |date=2010 |title=''Psephurus gladius'' |volume=2010 |page=e.T18428A8264989 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-1.RLTS.T18428A8264989.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{FishBase |genus=Psephurus|species=gladius|month=January|year=2020}}</ref>

[[File:Hypophthalmichthys molitrix Hungary.jpg|thumb|The [[silver carp]] is native to the river, but has (like other [[Asian carp]]) been spread through large parts of the world with [[aquaculture]].]]
The largest threats to the Yangtze native fish are [[overfishing]] and habitat loss (such as building of dams and [[land reclamation]]), but pollution, [[destructive fishing practices]] (such as [[Blast fishing|fishing with dynamite]] or poison) and [[introduced species]] also cause problems.<ref name=FishDiversity/> About {{frac|2|3}} of the total freshwater fisheries in China are in the Yangtze Basin,<ref>Liu, J.; and Cao, W. (1992). ''Fish resources in the Yangtze basin and the strategy for their conservation''. Resources and environment in the Yangtze Valley, 1: 17–23.</ref> but a drastic decline in size of several important species has been recorded, as highlighted by data from lakes in the river basin.<ref name=FishDiversity/> In 2015, some experts recommend a 10-year fishing moratorium to allow the remaining populations to recover,<ref name=FishingMoratorium>Yiman, L.; and Zhouyang, D. (January 4, 2013). ''[https://www.chinadialogue.net/article/show/single/en/5572-Expert-calls-for-1-year-fishing-moratorium-on-Yangtze-River Expert calls for 10-year fishing moratorium on Yangtze River.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304100207/https://www.chinadialogue.net/article/show/single/en/5572-Expert-calls-for-1-year-fishing-moratorium-on-Yangtze-River |date=March 4, 2016 }}'' ChinaDialogue. Retrieved November 12, 2015.</ref> and in January 2020 China imposed a 10-year fishing moratorium on 332 sites along the Yangtze.<ref>{{cite news |title=China imposes a 10-year fishing ban for Yangtze River to protect marine biodiversity  |work=[[South China Morning Post]] |date=January 7, 2020 |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/video/china-imposes-10-fishing-ban-050107819.html |access-date=January 7, 2020 }}</ref> Dams present another serious problem, as several species in the river perform breeding [[Fish migration|migrations]] and most of these are non-jumpers, meaning that normal [[fish ladder]]s designed for [[salmon]] are ineffective.<ref name=FishDiversity/> For example, the [[Gezhouba Dam]] blocked the migration of the paddlerfish and two sturgeon,<ref name=IUCNAcipenserdabryanus/><ref name=IUCNAcipensersinensis/><ref name=IUCNPsephurusgladius/> while also effectively splitting the [[Chinese high fin banded shark]] population into two<ref>Zhang, C.-G.; and Zhao, Y.-H. (2001). ''Migration of the Chinese sucker (Myxocyprinus asiaticus) in the Yangtze River Basin with discussion on the potential effect of dams on fish''. Current Zoology, 47(5): 518–521.</ref> and causing the [[Local extinction|extirpation]] of the Yangtze population of the [[Japanese eel]].<ref>Xie, P.; and Chen, Y. (1999). ''Threats to biodiversity in Chinese inland waters''. Ambio, 28: 674–681.</ref> In an attempt of minimizing the effect of the dams, the [[Three Gorges Dam]] has released water to mimic the (pre-dam) natural flooding and trigger the breeding of carp species downstream.<ref name=NatureConservancy>{{cite web | title=Protecting the Yangtze River in China | website=nature.org | date=2015-09-10 | url=http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/asiaandthepacific/china/placesweprotect/china-yangtze-river.xml | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151114185049/http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/asiaandthepacific/china/placesweprotect/china-yangtze-river.xml | archive-date=2015-11-14 | url-status=unfit }}</ref> In addition to dams already built in the Yangtze basin, several large dams are planned and these may present further problems for the native fauna.<ref name=NatureConservancy/>

While many fish species native to the Yangtze are seriously threatened, others have become important in [[fish farming]] and introduced widely outside their native range. A total of 26 native fish species of the Yangtze basin are farmed.<ref name=FishingMoratorium/> Among the most important are four [[Asian carp]]: [[grass carp]], [[black carp]], [[silver carp]] and [[bighead carp]]. Other species that support important fisheries include [[northern snakehead]], [[Chinese perch]], ''[[Takifugu]]'' pufferfish (mainly in the lowermost sections) and [[predatory carp]].<ref name=FishDiversity/>

===Other animals===
[[File:ChineseAlligator15.JPG|thumb|The critically endangered [[Chinese alligator]] is one of the smallest [[crocodilia]]ns, reaching a maximum length of about {{convert|2|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}.<ref>Xing, J.H. (2010). [http://www.iucncsg.org/365_docs/attachments/protarea/02_A-aae9ca58.pdf "Chinese Alligator ''Alligator sinensis''".] Pp. 5–9 in: Manolis, S.C., and Stevenson, C., eds. (2010). ''Crocodiles. Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan''. Third Edition. IUCN/SSC Crocodile Specialist Group: Darwin. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304073748/http://www.iucncsg.org/365_docs/attachments/protarea/02_A-aae9ca58.pdf |date=March 4, 2016 }}.</ref>]]
Due to commercial use of the river, tourism, and pollution, the Yangtze is home to several seriously threatened species of large animals (in addition to fish): the [[Yangtze finless porpoise|narrow-ridged finless porpoise]], [[baiji]] (Yangtze river dolphin), [[Chinese alligator]], [[Yangtze giant softshell turtle]] and [[Chinese giant salamander]]. This is the only other place besides the United States that is native to an alligator and paddlefish species. In 2010, the Yangtze population of finless porpoise was 1000 individuals. In December 2006, the Yangtze river dolphin was declared [[functionally extinct]] after an extensive search of the river revealed no signs of the dolphin's inhabitance.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Chinese river dolphin was functionally extinct |url=http://www.baiji.org/expeditions/1.html |publisher=baiji.org |date=December 13, 2006 |access-date=December 13, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070104192730/http://www.baiji.org/expeditions/1.html |archive-date=January 4, 2007}}</ref> In 2007, a large, white animal was sighted and photographed in the lower Yangtze and was tentatively presumed to be a ''baiji''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sciencemode.com/2007/09/02/river-dolphin-thought-to-be-extinct-spotted-again-in-china/ |title=Sciencemode.com – Home page|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071221054321/http://sciencemode.com/2007/09/02/river-dolphin-thought-to-be-extinct-spotted-again-in-china/|archive-date=December 21, 2007}}</ref> However, as there have been no confirmed sightings since 2004, the ''baiji'' is presumed to be functionally extinct at this time.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6935343.stm Rare river dolphin 'now extinct'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120828210609/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6935343.stm |date=August 28, 2012 }}. BBC News.</ref> "Baijis were the last surviving species of a large lineage dating back seventy million years and one of only six species of freshwater dolphins." It has been argued that the extinction of the Yangtze river dolphin was a result of the completion of the Three Gorges Dam, a project that has affected many species of animals and plant life found only in the gorges area.<ref>Ellen Wohl, [A World of Rivers: Environmental Changes on Ten of the World's Great Rivers], p.287.</ref>

Numerous species of land mammals are found in the Yangtze valley, but most of these are not directly associated with the river. Three exceptions are the semi-aquatic [[Eurasian otter]], [[water deer]] and [[Père David's deer]].<ref>Smith, A.T.; and Xie, Y. (2008). ''A Guide to the Mammals of China''. Princeton University Press, New Jersey. {{ISBN|978-0-691-09984-2}}</ref>

[[File:2009 Andrias davidianus.JPG|thumb|The entirely aquatic [[Chinese giant salamander]] is the world's largest amphibian, reaching up to {{convert|1.8|m|ft|abbr=on}} in length.<ref name=AmphWebAndrias/>]]
In addition to the very large and exceptionally rare Yangtze giant softshell turtle, several smaller turtle species are found in the Yangtze basin, its [[Yangtze River Delta|delta]] and valleys. These include the [[Chinese box turtle]], [[yellow-headed box turtle]], [[Pan's box turtle]], [[Yunnan box turtle]], [[yellow pond turtle]], [[Chinese pond turtle]], [[Chinese stripe-necked turtle]] and [[Chinese softshell turtle]], which all are considered threatened.<ref>van Dijk, P.P.; Iverson, J.B.; Rhodin, A.G.J.; Shaffer, H.B.; and Bour, R. (2014). ''[http://www.iucn-tftsg.org/wp-content/uploads/file/Accounts/crm_5_000_checklist_v7_2014.pdf Turtles of the World, 7th Edition: Annotated Checklist of Taxonomy, Synonymy, Distribution with Maps, and Conservation Status.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715003512/http://www.iucn-tftsg.org/wp-content/uploads/file/Accounts/crm_5_000_checklist_v7_2014.pdf |date=July 15, 2014}}'' IUCN/SSC [[Turtle Taxonomy Working Group]].</ref>

More than 160 [[amphibian]] species are known from the Yangtze basin, including the world's largest, the critically endangered Chinese giant salamander.<ref name=WWFYangtze>WWF Global: ''[http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/about_freshwater/freshwater_problems/river_decline/10_rivers_risk/yangtze/ Yangtze River.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210091429/http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/about_freshwater/freshwater_problems/river_decline/10_rivers_risk/yangtze/ |date=December 10, 2017 }}'' Retrieved November 12, 2015.</ref> It has declined drastically due to hunting (it is considered a [[Chinese cuisine|delicacy]]), habitat loss and pollution.<ref name=AmphWebAndrias>AmphibiaWeb (2013). ''[http://amphibiaweb.org/cgi-bin/amphib_query?table=amphib&special=one_record&where-genus=Andrias&where-species=davidianus Andrias davidianus.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927113136/http://amphibiaweb.org/cgi-bin/amphib_query?table=amphib&special=one_record&where-genus=Andrias&where-species=davidianus |date=September 27, 2011 }}'' Retrieved November 13, 2015.</ref> The polluted [[Dian Lake]], which is part of the upper Yangtze watershed (via [[Pudu River]]), is home to several highly threatened fish, but was also home to the [[Yunnan lake newt]]. This newt has not been seen since 1979 and is considered extinct.<ref>{{cite iucn |author=IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group |date=2020 |title=''Cynops wolterstorffi'' |volume=2020 |page=e.T59445A63869216 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T59445A63869216.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref><ref name=ThreatenedAmphibians>Stuart, S.; Hoffman, M.; Chanson, J.; Cox, N.; Berridge, R.; Ramani, P., and Young, B. (2008). ''Threatened Amphibians of the World''. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. {{ISBN|978-84-96553-41-5}}</ref> In contrast, the [[Chinese fire belly newt]] from the lower Yangtze basin is one of the few Chinese salamander species to remain common and it is considered [[least concern]] by the IUCN.<ref name=ThreatenedAmphibians/><ref>{{cite iucn |author=IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group |date=2020 |title=''Cynops orientalis'' |volume=2020 |page=e.T59442A63868627 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T59442A63868627.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref><ref>AmphibiaWeb (2008). ''[http://amphibiaweb.org/cgi/amphib_query?where-genus=Cynops&where-species=orientalis Cynops orientalis .] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101025114028/http://amphibiaweb.org/cgi/amphib_query?where-genus=Cynops&where-species=orientalis |date=October 25, 2010 }}'' Retrieved November 12, 2015.</ref>

[[File:EriocheirSinensis1.jpg|thumb|The [[Chinese mitten crab]] is a commercially important species in the Yangtze,<ref name=Wang2003/> but [[Invasive species|invasive]] in other parts of the world.<ref name=Eriocheir2007/>]]
The Yangtze basin contains a large number of [[freshwater crab]] species, including several endemics.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Neil Cumberlidge | first1 = N. | last2 = Ng | first2 = P.K.L. | last3 = Yeo | first3 = D.C.J. | last4 = Naruse | first4 = T. | last5 = Meyer | first5 = K.S. | last6 = Esser | first6 = L.J. | year = 2011 | title = Diversity, endemism and conservation of the freshwater crabs of China (Brachyura: Potamidae and Gecarcinucidae) | journal = Integrative Zoology | volume = 6 | issue = 1| pages = 45–55 | doi = 10.1111/j.1749-4877.2010.00228.x | pmid = 21392361 }}</ref> A particularly rich genus in the river basin is the [[Potamidae|potamid]] ''[[Sinopotamon]]''.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Fang | first1 = F. | last2 = Sun | first2 = H. | last3 = Zhao | first3 = Q. | last4 = Lin | first4 = C. | last5 = Sun | first5 = Y. | last6 = Gao | first6 = W. | last7 = Xu | first7 = J. | last8 = Zhou | first8 = J. | last9 = Ge | first9 = F. | last10 = Liu | first10 = N. | year = 2013 | title = Patterns of diversity, areas of endemism, and multiple glacial refuges for freshwater crabs of the genus Sinopotamon in China (Decapoda: Brachyura: Potamidae) | journal = PLOS ONE | volume =  8| issue = 1| page =  e53143| doi = 10.1371/journal.pone.0053143 | pmid = 23308152 | pmc = 3537761 | bibcode = 2013PLoSO...853143F | doi-access = free }}</ref> The [[Chinese mitten crab]] is catadromous (migrates between fresh and saltwater) and it has been recorded up to {{convert|1400|km|mi|abbr=on}} up the Yangtze, which is the largest river in its native range.<ref name=Eriocheir2007>Veilleux, É; and de Lafontaine, Y. (2007). ''Biological Synopsis of the Chinese Mitten Crab (Eriocheir sinensis)''. Canadian Manuscript Report of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 2812.</ref> It is a commercially important species in its native range where it is farmed,<ref name=Wang2003>{{cite journal | last1 = Wang | first1 = H.-Z. | last2 = Wang | first2 = H.-J. | last3 = Liang | first3 = X.-M. | last4 = Cui | first4 = Y.-D. | year = 2003 | title = Stocking models of Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir japonica sinensis) in Yangtze lakes. | url = http://ir.ihb.ac.cn/handle/152342/8948 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200318110423/http://ir.ihb.ac.cn/handle/152342/8948 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 2020-03-18 | journal = Aquaculture | volume = 255 | issue = 1 | pages = 456–465 | doi = 10.1016/j.aquaculture.2006.01.005 }}</ref> but the Chinese mitten crab has also been spread to Europe and North America where considered [[Invasive species|invasive]].<ref name=Eriocheir2007/>

The freshwater jellyfish ''[[Craspedacusta sowerbii]]'', now an invasive species in large parts of the world, originates from the Yangtze.<ref name = NOBANIS>{{cite web|url=http://www.nobanis.org/files/factsheets/Craspedacusta_sowerbyi.pdf |title=NOBANIS – Invasive Alien Species Fact Sheet – ''Craspedacusta sowerbyi'' |last=Didžiulis |first=Viktoras |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517210230/http://www.nobanis.org/files/factsheets/Craspedacusta_sowerbyi.pdf |archive-date=May 17, 2014 |url-status=live |access-date=September 28, 2016 }}</ref>