Alvarez del Toro's hidden salamander explained

Álvarez del Toro's hidden salamander (Cryptotriton alvarezdeltoroi), also known as Álvarez del Toro's salamander is a species of salamander in the family Plethodontidae. It is endemic to Mexico where it is known from its type locality near Jitotol as well as a nearby site on the Mexican Plateau in the state of Chiapas.[1]

Etymology

The specific name, alvarezdeltoroi, is in honor of Mexican herpetologist Miguel Álvarez del Toro.

Description

The holotype of Nototriton alvarezdeltoroi (an adult male) measure 26.6mm in snout–vent length and has a 32.1mm long tail. The dorsum and tail are a reddish brown with an irregular, obscure dorsal stripe. The limbs are orange. The snout is blunt with forward-pointing nostrils.

Habitat

Its natural habitat is very moist cloud forest at elevations of 1200m-1550mm (3,900feet-5,090feetm) asl. It has also been found at roadsides.

Conservation status

This rare species is only known from very few specimens. It is threatened by habitat loss caused by expanding agriculture and human settlements as well as logging.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Cryptotriton alvarezdeltoroi (Papenfuss and Wake, 1987) . Frost, Darrel R. . 2014 . Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0 . American Museum of Natural History . 19 November 2014.