Common names:
Nimble Long-limbed Salamander [1].
Classification:
Kingdom - Animalia
Phylum - Chordata
Class - Amphibia
Order - Caudata
Family - Plethodontidae
Species - Nyctanolis pernix
Distribution:
Nyctanolis pernix is found in only four location of Mexico and Guatamala; Parque Nacional Lagunas de Montebello, Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Alta Verapaz, and Baja Verapaz (Figure 2) [1]. It is found between 1200-1620m above sea level [1]. It's range is less than 5000km2 [1].
Details:
The nimble long-limbed salamander is found in cloud forest and humid pine-oak forest, it does not like disturbed habitats [1]. Individuals have been found under moss and bark [1]. Breeding takes place independently of water [1]. They are sexually dimorphic, with females being larger, bodies (not including tail) up to a maximum size of 6.8cm [2, 3]. Individuals are black in colour with red, orange, and yellow spots across the whole body [3].
This species is very uncommon and is declining [1]. This species occurs in a number of protected areas throughout it's range and is protected under Mexican law [1].
Threats to the species:
Agricultural expansion [1].
Urbanisation and development [1].
Logging [1].
Similar species:
References:
[1] IUCN Red List. (2008). Nimble Long-limbed Salamander, Nyctanolis pernix. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/59304/11910010. [Accessed 5 May 2019].
[2] Hanken, J. (1985) ‘Morphological Novelty in the Limb Skeleton Accompanies Miniaturization in Salamanders’, Science, (August).
[3] AmphibiaWeb. (2010). Nyctanolis pernix. [ONLINE] Available at: https://amphibiaweb.org/cgi/amphib_query?where-genus=Nyctanolis&where-species=pernix. [Accessed 5 May 2019].
Photo: CalPhotos. (2011), Nyctanolis pernix. [ONLINE]. Available at: https://calphotos.berkeley.edu/cgi/img_query?enlarge=0000+0000+0611+1105 [Accessed 5 May 2019].
Comments