Thorius grandis
GRAND MINUTE SALAMANDER
Thorius grandis - Hanken, Wake & Freeman 1999
IDENTIFICATION:
DISTRIBUTION:
Thorius grandis is endemic to the mountains northeast of Atoyac de Alvarez, Guerrero. Most localities are from the slopes of Cerro Teotepec, although one record exists for Cerro Toro Muerto (about 10 air km northwest of Cerro Teotepec). On the Atoyac/Milpillas highway most records exist between Puerto del Gallo (westernmost) and Jiguero (easternmost). Elevational distribution from 2495-3360 m.
HABITAT:
This species occurs in montane pine-fir and pine-oak-fir forests at high elevations, and within bamboo-tree fern cloud forest at it’s lowest locality. Most specimens are reported as being found beneath or within rotting logs and beneath the bark of dead trees, both standing or fallen.
NATURAL HISTORY:
This terrestrial salamander reproduces by direct developement, like all other species of Thorius.
TAXONOMY:
This species is closely related to T. omiltemi.
TYPE:
Described as Thorius grandis by Hanken, Wake and Freeman (1999). Holotype: MVZ 183384. Type locality: Puerto del Gallo, Guerrero, Mexico, elevation 2500 m. An adult female collected by Theodore J. Papenfuss, 22 December 1976.
PERSONAL NOTES:
I have no experience with this species.
CONSERVATION STATUS:
REFERENCES:
Hanken, J., Wake, D. B., and Freeman, H. L. 1999. Three New Species of Minute Salamanders (Thorius: Plethodontidae) from Guerrero, Mexico, Including the Report of a Novel Dental Polymorphism in Urodeles. Copeia 1999(4):917-931.