Abstract: To assess water quality of Tylototriton kweichowensis habitats and the environmental factors affecting its habitat selection, the physical and chemical indices, including As water temperature, pH, DO, TN, TP, NH₃-N, COD_Mn, Cu, Hg, Pb, Cr, Cd, Mn, Zn and As, were measured in seven distribution sites and two contrast sites in the demonstration area for comprehensive management of rocky desertification in Salaxi of Bijie City, Guizhou Province in May, August and October of 2019. Single factor evaluation method and Nemerow comprehensive pollution index were used to evaluate water quality. The results showed that water quality of three sites was classified into class III, with the pollution degree being in alert level; one into class IV, being slightly polluted; five into worse than class V, being severely polluted. The indices thatexceeded the limit include pH, DO, TN, TP, NH₃-N, COD_Mn and Mn, among which TN and NH₃-N were the main factors causing poor water quality. By comparing the environmental factors of the two control sites, water temperature and pH were important factors affecting the habitat selection of T. kweichowensis, with water environment with temperature lower than 13 ℃ or pH<6 being not suitable for the survival of T. kweichowensis.

Key words: Tylototriton kweichowensis, water quality, source of pollution, habitat selection.