Genetic Diversity and Interpopulation Variability of the Hong Kong Newt (Paramesotriton hongkongensis) in an Urbanized and Deforested Landscape

Abstract

Population genetics is a valuable tool for conservationists to quantify population-level genetic variation and identify priority conservation units. The Hong Kong newt (Paramesotriton hongkongensis) is a tropical salamander restricted to streams and forests in southern China, facing significant challenges from range-wide deforestation since the 1600s, and recent rapid urban development. Using species-specific microsatellite markers, we found surprisingly high genetic diversity within and among P. hongkongensis populations, despite long-term habitat disturbance and fragmentation. Only 2 out of 10 sites exhibited evidence of recent population bottlenecks. Bayesian clustering revealed four well-supported genetic clusters within the newt's Hong Kong range, suggesting that these should be managed as separate conservation units. Our findings highlight the resilience of this species to historical and contemporary disturbances and emphasize the importance of considering genetic data in conservation planning for amphibians in human-modified landscapes.