OMILTEMI MINUTE SALAMANDER
Thorius omiltemi – Hanken, Wake & Freeman 1999
IDENTIFICATION:
One of the largest species of Thorius.
DISTRIBUTION:
This species is known from the mountains west of Chilpancingo, Guerrero. It is found in Omiltemi State Ecological Park, as well as Cerro Cacho de Oro (between Carrizal de Bravos and Asoleadero). Elevational distribution is from 2200-2700 m.
HABITAT:
This small salamander inhabits montane pine-oak, oak-pine-fir and pine-alder forests. They are most commonly encountered beneath woody debris such as rotting logs, and bark in densely wooded forests and ravines.
NATURAL HISTORY:
This species appears to be exclusively terrestrial. As with all other species of Thorius it reproduces by direct development.
TAXONOMY:
This species is closely related to T. grandis.
TYPE:
Described as Thorius omiltemi by Hanken, Wake and Freeman (1999). Holotype: MVZ 110916. Type locality: 3.2 km SW of Carrizal de Bravos, Guerrero, Mexico, elevation 2400 m. An adult female collected by Theodore J. Papenfuss, 31 August 1973.
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.