Dapeng records 21 national protected animals, plants

A total of 21 national protected plants and animals were discovered in Dapeng New Area during a biodiversity investigation recently, the Daily Sunshine reported.

This is the first habitat diversity investigation organized by the Dapeng branch of the Shenzhen Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau.

National protected species found during the investigation include Paphiopedilum purpuratum (Hong Kong lady’s slipper orchid), a first-class national pretected species, sword-leaved cymbidium, Tanichthys albonubes (white cloud mountain minnow), Troides helena (common birdwing) and Hoplobatrachus rugulosus (Chinese edible frog).

Sciaphila megastyla, a new species to Shenzhen, spotted in Qiniang Mountain, Dapeng New Area. The Daily Sunshine

Sciaphila megastyla, a new species to Shenzhen, was discovered for the first time in Qiniang Mountain during the investigation. The species looks like fungi and its fruit is like a miniature version of a bayberry.

This type of plant has extremely high environmental requirements. It only grows in some inaccessible forests covered by fallen leaves. The entire plant is only 4 centimeters tall, so it is extremely difficult to find, said a staffer involved in the investigation.

In addition, researchers found several small cycad fern populations at Dabijia Mountain in Dapeng. The populations include over 50 plants and all grow well, according to preliminary statistics.

The discovery of the cycad fern is highly significant for studying the evolution of plant species and the flora, said the report.

Tanichthys albonubes, once rated as extinct, spotted in Dabijia Mountain, Dapeng. 

In addition, Tanichthys albonubes, once rated as extinct in the wild, were rediscovered by the Dabijia Mountain stream in Dapeng and formed a certain population size.

In the land survey, over 200 species of vascular plants, 27 species of amphibians and reptiles, 16 species of small mammals, 55 species of birds, and 54 species of butterflies have been recorded.

Moreover, 23 coral species, 10 coral reef fish species and 18 coral reef macrobenthic animals have been observed.

Dapeng has the richest biodiversity in Shenzhen. Its forest coverage rate reached 77.49% and is home to 70% of Shenzhen’s wild plant species and 26% of that in Guangdong. Dapeng’s ecological environment status index (EI) ranked first in the province for seven consecutive years, according to the report.