| Hynobiidae is the only exclusively Asian salamander family. The western hynobiids distributed in China are the key groups to explain the phylogenetic relationships among hynobiid salamanders. Some of western hynobiids have been extensively traded both as a traditional Asian medication and a food source. An understanding of the genetic diversity of these salamander is critical for formulation conservation strategies and policies.The western hynobiids distributed in China, including genera Liua, Pseudohynobius, Batrachuperus and Ranodon, are hotly debated salamanders in Hynobiidae. Morphological studies to date produce the conflicting generic allocations of species and the controversial suggestion on the validity of some species of western hynobiids in China, depending on the different authors. Phylogenetic relationships within these salamanders, however, remain poorly studied.In this study, collected all available specimen covering overall known distributions of western Chinese hynobiid salamanders at the population level, using allozyme electrophoresis and mitochrondrial DNA sequencing, employing MP, ML, Bl and NJ to generate a phylogenetic hypothesis, we ventured to interpretthe genetic diversity, the phylogenetic relationships, classification, and the historical processes that shape the modern-day geographical patterns of genetic diversity among these hynobiid salamanders.Phylogenetic analysis revealed: 1. Salamanders those are located in the east of Tibet plateau, including rearranged genera Liua, Pseudohynobius, Batrachuperus, consists a monophyletic group. 2. Salamander that is far away located in the Alataw Mt area along the boundary of China and Kazakstan, rearranged genus Ranodon only including a single species R. sibiricus belongs another monophyletic group.Based on the phylogenetic analysis, we concluded the classification of western hynobiids:1. Genera Liua and Pseudohynobius are valid.2. Ranodon tsinpaensis is placed in Liua.3. Psedudohynobius flavomaculatus and Batrachuperus karlschmidti are valid.4. The distinct genetic variation at population level revealed there might beseveral possible sibling cryptic species. They are listed here: P. sp 1 of population of Kuanhuoshui and P. sp2 of Jinfoshan&Baimashan of P. flavomaculatus; L. sp1 population of Zhongba and L sp2 of Huaeshan of L. tsinpaensis; B. sp1 of population of Pengxian&Beichuan of B. tibetanus, B. sp2 of Xiangcheng&Daocheng, and B. sp3 of Mianin&Meigu of B. pinchonii.4. Rearranged the classification and redivided the distributions of western Chinese hynobiids. There are 4 genera, Liua, Pseudohynobius,Batrachuperus, and Ranodon. Genus Liua ranges along northern east, east verge of Sichuan basin, including Liua shihi located in Wushan, the east aera of Daba Mt. , L. tsinpaensis in Tsinlin Mt., and L. sp2, L. sp1 in Huaeshan and Zhongba, and the west-middle aera of Daba Mt.. Genus Pseudohynobius located in the south verge of Sichuan basin, including P. flavomaculatus in Lichuan aera, P. shuichengensis in the western Qian Plateau area, and P. sp1, P. sp2 in the Jinfoshan and Kuankuoshui aera. Batrachuperus is along west verge of Sichuan basin, including B. pinchonii, B. tibetanus, B. yenyuanensis, B. karlschmidti, B. longdongensis, B. taibaiensis , B. sp1, B. sp2 and B.sp3. Only Ranodon, R. sibiricus, is far away located in the Alataw Mt. area along the boundary of China and Kazakstan.Based on the phylogenetic analysis, we discussed the mophorlogical variations of Batrachuperus hynobiids: According to the phylogenetic hypothesis, characters, such as horny cover, shape of vormerine teeth, coloration uniform and tail length, independently evolved at least twice.Based on the phylogenetic analysis, the modern-day geographical patterns of western Chinese hynobiids except R. sibiricus are suggested from twice vicariance-style differentiation: Firstly, the basin being a barrier obstructed the communication between east and west verge of Sichuan basin during Sichuan basin growing up, the monophyletic group devided in...
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