Abstract: Understanding habitat characteristics and habitat selectivity of wildlife play a significant role in designing effective strategies for the conservation of wildlife populations and habitats. Rana hanluica is an endemic frog species in China. Habitat selection of R. hanluica during the breeding period was examined in Hunan Yangmingshan National Nature Reserve (where the specimen collected) from September to October, 2020. A total of 72 quadrats were investigated and 13 habitat factors including vegetation type, land use type, slope, aspect and water temperature were recorded from these quadrats. Habitat preference coefficient analysis and principal component analysis were performed to explore habitat selectivity of R. hanluica. The results showed that R. hanluica prefers gentle semi-shady and semi-sunny slopes with high surface temperature and relative humidity. The vegetation type for R. hanluica habitat was mainly cropland (mainly rice Oryza sativa). R. hanluica preferred to spawn in water fields far from roads and settlements, with shallow water depth, high water temperature, high oxygen content, and neutral pH. The main factors affecting habitat selection of the frogs included geographical factors, temperature factors, and water body factors. Further studies should be conducted to explore population ecology. Habitat protection and restoration measures should be implemented. The level of protection should be increased.

Key words: habitat characteristics, habitat selection, Rana hanluica, breeding period, Hunan Yangmingshan National Nature Reserve.