Pseudoeurycea nigromaculata

Pseudoeurycea nigromaculata, commonly known as the black-spotted salamander or black-spotted false brook salamander is a species of salamander in the family Plethodontidae. It is endemic to Veracruz, Mexico, and known from Cerro Chicahuaxtla (1,300–1,600 m (4,300–5,200 ft) asl)) in Cuatlalpan (the type locality, near Fortín de las Flores) and from Volcán San Martín at elevations of 1,200–1,300 m (3,900–4,300 ft). These separate populations likely represent distinct species.[1][3][4][5]

Pseudoeurycea nigromaculata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Urodela
Family: Plethodontidae
Genus: Pseudoeurycea
Species:
P. nigromaculata
Binomial name
Pseudoeurycea nigromaculata
(Taylor, 1941)
Synonyms
  • Bolitoglossa nigromaculata
    Taylor, 1941[2]

Description

Pseudoeurycea nigromaculata is a medium-sized plethodontid: females in the type series (collected by Hobart Muir Smith) measure 51–57 mm (2.0–2.2 in) in snout–vent length. The tail is longer than the snout–vent length, giving a maximum total length of about 12 cm (4.7 in). The body is blackish (lighter in younger specimens), the tail has lighter coloration, and both carry black spots[2] that have given the species its name.[5]

Two observed egg clutches contained 19 and 25 eggs.[4]

Habitat and conservation

Pseudoeurycea nigromaculata is an arboreal species living in bromeliads in cloud forest. Once relatively common, it now appears to be very rare. Most of its habitat has disappeared or is severely degraded. It is protected by Mexican law under the "Special Protection" category.[1]

References
  1. Gabriela Parra-Olea, David Wake, Mario García-París (2008). "Pseudoeurycea nigromaculata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2008: e.T59390A11915387. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T59390A11915387.en.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  2. Taylor, E. H. (1941). "New amphibians from the Hobart M. Smith Mexican collections". University of Kansas Science Bulletin. 27: 141–167.
  3. Frost, Darrel R. (2016). "Pseudoeurycea nigromaculata (Taylor, 1941)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
  4. "Pseudoeurycea nigromaculata". AmphibiaWeb: Information on amphibian biology and conservation. [web application]. Berkeley, California: AmphibiaWeb. 2016. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
  5. "Black Spotted Salamander (Pseudoeurycea nigromaculata)". EDGE of Existence programme (Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered species). Zoological Society of London. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
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