 Although traditionally recognized as one of two living species of "Andrias" salamander in Asia, the other being the Japanese giant salamander, evidence indicates that the Chinese giant salamander may be composed of at least five cryptic species, further compounding each individual species' endangerment.The correct scientific name of this species has been argued to be "Andrias scheuchzeri" (in which case "Andrias davidianus" would be a junior synonym) – a name otherwise restricted to an extinct species described from Swiss fossils.It has also been given the moniker of "living fossil" for being part of the family Cryptobranchidae which dates back 170 million years.