CATDOLL : CATDOLL: Wetland Animals (Pomacea canaliculata and Pelteobagrus fulvidraco)

The animal species in Huixian Wetland are relatively complex. This survey focused on birds and fish. The survey found 10 orders, 29 families, and 67 species of birds, including 35 migratory birds (33 winter migratory birds and 2 summer migratory birds), 2 migratory birds, and 30 resident birds; 7 orders, 13 families, and 30 species of fish; and 17 other animals.

1. Wetland fish

There are many artificial fish ponds in Huixian Wetland, and fish farming is one of the main industries of local people. Among the fish, the farmed fish species include black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus), carp (Cyprinuscarpio), crucian carp (Carassius auratus), catfish (Parasilurus asotus), catfish (Clarias fuscus), snakehead (Ophiocephalus argus), and snakehead (Ophiocephalus maculatus). There are also many species of wild fish distributed in natural lakes, ponds, and rivers, or fish that escape from farmed fish ponds, with black carp (Oryzias latipes), Guilin loach (Leptobotia guilinensis), Chinese loach (Cobitis sinensis), loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus), and yellow eel (Monopterus albus) being more common (Figure 4-25, Figure 4-26). In addition, since the wetland is located in a karst area and the wetland water is connected to the karst underground river, various eyeless cave blind fish can occasionally be seen in the Huixian karst wetland or at the exit of the underground river.

Figure 4-25 Some fish species in Huixian Wetland

Due to the large number and variety of local aquatic plants, the main fish populations are relatively stable. However, due to the high population density in the wetland and the fact that fishing in lakes, ponds and rivers is a common production activity for local people, the long-term excessive exploitation of wetland fish resources, especially large-scale fishing such as electric fishing, blasting fish and net fishing, has had a significant impact on the survival and reproduction of wetland fish. With the shrinking of the local wetland area, the deterioration of the wetland environment, and the extension of the dry season, the main fish populations have experienced a serious decline, and some fish that were common in the past have even disappeared. At present, the common wild fish in the wetland are mainly small and common species, many of which are artificially farmed fish with low biodiversity.

The fish species found in the Huixian karst wetland this time include 7 orders, 13 families and 30 species. The species list is as follows:

Cypriniformes

Cyprinidae

Subfamily Leuciscinae

Mylopharyngodon piceus

Grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idellus

Opsariichthys bidens

Broadfin v Zacco platypus

Zacco macrolepis

Subfamily Acheilognathimae

Figure 4-26 Wild fish in Mudong Lake, Huixian Wetland

Rhodeus sinensis

Rhodeus ocellatus

Subfamily Gobioninae

Pseudorasbora parva

Sarcocheilichthys sinensis

Subfamily Cyprininae

Cyprinus carpio

Carassius auratus

Subfamily Hypophthalmichthyinae

Hypophthalmichthys molitrix

Bighead carp Aristichthys nobilis

Cobitidae

Cobitis sinensis

Leptobotia guilinensis

LoachMisgurnus anguillicaudatus

Siluriformes

Siluridae

Catfish Parasilurus asotus

Clariidae

Clarias fuscus

Family Bagridae

Yellow catfish Pseudobagrus fulvidraco

Symbranchiformes

Symbranchidae

Yellow eel Monopterus albus

Perciformes

Family Serranidae

Siniperca whiteheadi

Siniperca scherzeri

Eleotridae

Odontobutis sinensis

Gobiidae

Ctenonogobius giurinus

Belontiidae

Roundtail Betta Macropodus chinensis

Ophiocephaliformes

Ophiocephalidae

Snakehead Ophiocephalus argus

Channa Ophiocephalus maculatus

Mastacembeliformes

Mastacembelidae

Mastacembelus aculectus

Large spiny spade Mastacembelus armatus

Order Cyprinodomtiformes

Family Cyprinodontidae

Oryzias latipes

2. Wetland Birds

Huixian Wetland is located at the southern end of the Hunan-Guangxi Corridor. Its superior geographical location and good ecological environment, especially its wide water surface and numerous aquatic plants, fish, insects, etc., provide birds with habitats and food, making it an ideal habitat for various birds and a transit habitat for migratory birds (Figure 4-27). According to a survey conducted by Li Hanhua et al. in the past 10 years [9], 150 migratory bird species were found in Huixian Wetland and its surrounding areas (including the urban area and Yanshan), including 9 national protected birds and many raptors, including white storks, white storks, white egrets, Chinese mergansers, mandarin ducks, yellow-billed egrets, ducklings, brown-winged ducklings, blue-winged pittas, and various birds of the Falconiformes and Strigiformes orders. According to incomplete statistics, a total of 10 orders, 29 families, and 67 species of birds were recorded in this survey, including 35 migratory birds (33 winter migratory birds and 2 summer migratory birds), 2 migratory birds, and 30 resident birds (Figure 4-28). The most common birds are the Little Egret (Egretta garzetta garzetta), Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis bengalensis), Little Skylark (Alauda gulgula), House Swallow (Hirundo rustica gutturalis), Field Pipit (Anthus rufulus), Mountain Dove (Streptopelia orientalis orientalis), Common Rail (Rallus aquaticus indicus), etc. They are widely distributed, have a high encounter rate, and are in large numbers. They are dominant birds. The Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata), Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus nisosimilis), and Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) are national second-level protected birds, with low encounter rates and quite small populations.

Figure 4-27 Schematic diagram of migratory bird routes in Guilin (adapted from reference [9])

Figure 4-28 Wetland birds

The population of bird species under protection in many countries is relatively small. Some birds that were common before, such as orioles, Xinjiang robins (Luscinia megarhynchos hafizi) (commonly known as nightingales), passerine corvids (commonly known as crows) and some waterfowl are now rarely seen. The main reasons are that the bird habitats have been severely damaged; secondly, humans hunt birds, especially in the Mojiatang area with a wide water area. In the past (before the 1990s), villagers in the surrounding area had the habit of hunting migratory birds during the migratory season (from March to April and from September to November each year). They would build a hidden shed in the pond and wait for migratory birds to come down to the pond to forage for food, and then hunt them. With the confiscation of guns, this phenomenon of hunting migratory birds with guns has gradually disappeared. In this regard, effective measures should be taken to protect them.

The specific bird list of the wetland is as follows:

Gf Order Podicipediformes

Gf family Podicipedidae

Small Gf Podiceps ruficollis poggei Winter bird

Ciconiiformes

Ardidae

Little EgretEgretta garzetta garzetta Winter bird

Pond Heron Ardeola bacchus Winter Migrant Bird

Great Egret Egretta alba modestus Winter migratory bird

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis coromandus Winter migratory bird

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea rectirostris Winter Migrant Bird

Ardea purpurea Winter migratory bird

Chestnut Reed Z Lxobrychus cinnamomeus Resident bird

Anseriformes

Anatidae

Green-winged teal Anas crecca crecccca Winter migratory bird

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos platyrhynchos Winter migratory bird

Mandarin duck Aix galericulata Winter migratory bird

Northern Pintail Anas acuta

Migratory Bird

White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons albifrons Migrant bird

Falconiformes

Accipitridae

Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus resident bird

Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus nisosimilis resident bird

Common\ Buteo buteo burmanicus Resident bird

Falconidae

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus resident bird

Gruiformes

Turnicidae

Yellow-legged Three-toed Quail Turnix tanki blanfordii Winter migratory bird

Rallidae

Common Rail Rallus aquaticus indicus resident bird

White-breasted bittern Amaurornis phoenicurus chinensis Winter migratory bird

Gallicrex cinerea, winter migratory bird

Gallinula chloropus indica Winter migratory bird

Fulica atra atra Winter bird

Order Charadriiformes

Jacanidae

Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus Winter migratory bird

Rostratulidae

Painted Snipe Rostratula benghalensis benghalensis Winter migratory bird

Family Charadriidae

Crested Lapwing Vanellus vanellus Winter migratory bird

Gray-headed Lapwing Microsarcops cinereus Winter migratory bird

Charadrius dominicus fulvus Winter migratory bird

Ring-necked (white-collared) Charadrius alexandrinus Winter migratory bird

Scolopacidae

White-rumped Curlew Numenius arquata Winter migratory bird

Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis Winter Migrant

Sandpiper Tringa hypoleucos Winter migratory bird

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus Winter migratory bird

Sanderling Calidris alba

Winter bird

Sandgrouse Gallinago gallinago Winter bird

Pintail Sandgrouse Gallinago stenura Winter Migrant Bird

Recurvirostridae

Recurvirostra avosetta Winter migratory bird

Glareolidae

Common Swallow Glareola maldivarum Resident bird

Lariformes

Laridae

Seagull Larus canus kamtschatschensis Winter migratory bird

Larus ridibundus Red-billed Gull Winter Migrant

Columbiformes

Columbidae

Mountain dove Streptopelia orientalis orientalis resident bird

Coraciiformes

Alcedinidae

Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis bengalensis Resident bird

White-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis Resident bird

Blue Emerald Halcyon pileata Resident bird

Passeriformea

Alaudidae

Little Skylark Alauda gulgula Resident bird

Hirundinidae

Hirundo daurica japonica Summer migratory bird

House Swallow Hirundo rustica gutturalis Summer migratory bird

W_Seed Motacillidae

Yellow W_ Motacilla flava resident bird

Gray W_ Motacilla cinerea Resident bird

White-faced W_ Motacilla alba leucopsis Resident bird

Field Pipit Anthus rufulus Resident bird

Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta coutellii Resident bird

Pycnonotidae

White-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis Resident bird

Laniidae

Brown-backed Shrike Lanius schach resident bird

Dicruridae

Black drongo Dicurus macrocerus resident bird

Sturnidae

Myna Acridotheres cristatellus cristatellus resident bird

Turdidae

Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis prosthopellus Resident bird

Northern Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus Resident bird

Red-tailed Waterbird Rhyacornis fuliginosus resident bird

blackbird Turdus merula mandarinus resident bird

Sylviidae

Prinia inornata resident bird

Long-tailed Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius longicaudus Resident bird

Passeridae

Sparrow Passer montanus resident bird

Estrildidae

White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata swinhoei resident bird

Fringillidae

Goldfinch Carduelis sinica sinica resident bird

Emberizidae

Small M Emberiza pusilla Winter bird

Yellow-breasted M Emberiza aureola Winter migratory bird

3. Other Animals

According to incomplete surveys, there are dozens of other animal species in Huixian Karst Wetland, including Chinese soft-shell turtle (Trionyx sinensis), skink (Eumeces chinensis), ringed snake (Natrix aequifasciata), grass snake (Natrix stolata), tiger-striped snake (Natrix tigrina), Chinese water snake (Enhydris chinensis), cobra (Naja), Bungarus fasciatus, Bungarus multicinctus, black-eye toad (Bufo melanostictus), marsh frog (Rana guentheri), marsh frog (Rana limnocharis), black-spotted frog (Rana nigromaculata), tiger-striped frog (Rana tigrina), flower frog (Microhyla pulchra), toothless clam (Anodonta woodiana), round pond snail (Cipangopaludina chinensis), apple snail (Amazonian smail), Japanese swamp shrimp (Macrobrachium nipponense) and crayfish (Combarus clarkii), among which crayfish, round field snails, toothless clams, marsh frogs, marsh frogs, black-spotted frogs, black-rimmed toads, grass snakes, and golden apple snails are the most common. Round field snails and toothless clams (Figure 4-29) are relatively large in number and are the targets of daily capture by local residents. Golden apple snails are an invasive alien species that poses a greater threat to the local area, and the population of golden apple snails is now showing a steady expansion trend in the local area. In this regard, we should be vigilant and take measures to control it. In addition, there are dozens of insects such as various butterflies and dragonflies (Figure 4-30).

Figure 4-29 Benthic animals captured in the lakes and ponds of Huixian Wetland

Figure 4-30 Insects and reptiles in Huixian Wetland