Researchers initially noticed the creatures while studying amphibians at the Gaowangjie ... critters are a new species of "crocodile newt," an amphibian named for their resemblance to crocodiles.

Amphibians are small vertebrates that need water, or a moist environment, to survive. The species in this group include frogs, toads, salamanders, and newts. All can breathe and absorb water ...

The newts play a role in keeping the lake clear and clean by eating plankton. Without them, algae growth would increase and threaten that clarity. “Amphibians act as canaries in the coal mine ...