The morphological characteristics of the dorsal skin of trunk in two species of hynobiid salamanders,Batrachuperus pinchoniiandHynobius chinensiswere examined by light microscopy. The basic structures of the skin in the two species are similar and consist of two layers: epidermis and dermis. The epidermis consists of stratum corneum, stratum intermedium and stratum germinativum, while the dermis is composed of a stratum spongiosum and stratum compactum. However, some species-specific variation has been identified (e.g., the distribution of capillary vessels and gland cells, and the thickness of skin). H. chinensisis a terrestrial species and only lives in water during breeding period, butB. pinchoniiis aquatic and remains aquatic throughout its lifetime. The differences in the distribution of capillary vessels and gland cells are related to their different habitats, and show a morphological adaptation.

More results have been published in Asian Herpetological Research, which issued by Chengdu Institute of Biology of CAS.