Pseudoeurycea teotepec

Pseudoeurycea teotepec, commonly known as the Teotepec salamander,[2] is a species of salamander in the family Plethodontidae. It is endemic to Mexico and only known from its type locality, southern slope of Cerro Teotepec (Sierra Madre del Sur) in Guerrero, at about 3,425 m (11,237 ft) asl.[1][3]

Pseudoeurycea teotepec
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Urodela
Family: Plethodontidae
Genus: Pseudoeurycea
Species:
P. teotepec
Binomial name
Pseudoeurycea teotepec
Adler, 1996[2][3]

Description edit

The type series consists of a single female (holotype) that measures 62 mm (2.4 in) in snout–vent length; the tail is relatively short at 51 mm (2.0 in). The body is thick with short limbs. The dorsum is black with slightly greenish, cream-colored iridophore patches that are most pronounced on sides of body, limbs, and on entire length of tail. The venter is black with some tiny, widely scattered, cream-colored iridophore patches, the largest one is at the tip of the tail.[2]

Habitat and conservation edit

The species inhabits moist areas with abundant moss in pine-fir forests.[1] The holotype was found under a moist log.[2]

The species has not been recorded after 1960s when it was first discovered, despite repeated later searches. It appears to have declined significantly. Logging has taken place on Cerro Teotepec; logging and expanding small scale agriculture are possible future threats.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2020). "Pseudoeurycea teotepec". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T59399A53984609. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T59399A53984609.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d Adler, K. A. (1996). "The salamanders of Guerrero, Mexico, with descriptions of five new species of Pseudoeurycea (Caudata: Plethodontidae)". Occasional Papers of the Museum of Natural History, University of Kansas. 177: 1–28.
  3. ^ a b Frost, Darrel R. (2016). "Pseudoeurycea teotepec Adler, 1996". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 22 September 2016.