Cerro Pital salamander
The Cerro Pital salamander is a medium-sized salamander native to the cloud forests along the Honduras-El Salvador border, specifically around the mountain of Cerro El Pital. It is characterized by its dark grayish-brown uppersides, pale brown undersides with whitish spots, and a small geographic range. The species is critically endangered due to habitat degradation and loss.
Key Facts
- ›Found on the mountain of Cerro El Pital along the Honduras-El Salvador border.
- ›Inhabits cloud forests at elevations between 2,150 and 2,750 meters.
- ›Possesses dark grayish-brown uppersides and pale brown undersides with whitish spots.
- ›Classified as critically endangered by the IUCN due to its small, threatened range.
- ›Threatened by habitat loss from agriculture, wildfires, road construction, and human activity.
Pital Mushroomtongue Salamander, Salamandra Pitalense
Cloud Forests
Honduras, El Salvador
- Medium-Sized Salamander For Its Genus
- Snout–Vent Length of 37.4–52.0 Mm
- Dark Grayish-Brown Uppersides
- Pale Brown Undersides With Whitish Spots
- Sides Are Dark Grayish-Brown With Clay-Colored Markings
- Underside of the Tail Is Dark Grayish-Brown
Habitat Loss Due To Agricultural Expansion, Increased Coffee Cultivation, Wildfires, Road Construction, Increasing Human Activity, Climate Change, Pesticide and Herbicide Use
About Cerro Pital salamander
The Cerro Pital salamander, scientifically known as Bolitoglossa synoria, is a species of salamander belonging to the Plethodontidae family. It is recognized for its medium size within its genus, typically measuring between 37.4 and 52.0 mm in snout-to-vent length. Distinctive physical features include dark grayish-brown coloration on its uppersides, contrasting with pale brown undersides adorned with whitish spots. The species' range is confined to the high-elevation cloud forests surrounding Cerro El Pital, a mountain situated on the border between Honduras and El Salvador, with occurrences also noted in the Güisayote Biological Reserve in Honduras.
Distribution and Habitat
This salamander is endemic to cloud forest ecosystems found at elevations ranging from 2,150 to 2,750 meters (7,050 to 9,020 feet). Its distribution is concentrated around Cerro El Pital, spanning both the Honduran and Salvadoran sides of the border, and extending into nearby protected areas in Honduras.
Conservation Status and Threats
The Cerro Pital salamander is classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This dire status is attributed to its extremely small geographic range, estimated to be only 99 km², which is under severe pressure from ongoing habitat degradation. Major threats include habitat loss driven by agricultural expansion, particularly coffee cultivation, as well as increased occurrences of wildfires, the construction of roads, and general human activity within its territory. The collection of wood for fuel by visitors also contributes to the destruction of its microhabitat. Furthermore, climate change poses a significant threat to its specialized cloud forest habitat, and the use of pesticides and herbicides in surrounding areas also impacts the species. While some of its known localities in Honduras are within protected areas, the Salvadoran portion of its range is in a privately protected area facing intense anthropogenic pressure.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the scientific name of the Cerro Pital salamander?
The scientific name of the Cerro Pital salamander is Bolitoglossa synoria. This name was formally described in 1999.
Where is the Cerro Pital salamander found?
The Cerro Pital salamander is found on the mountain of Cerro El Pital, which straddles the border between Honduras and El Salvador. It also occurs in the Güisayote Biological Reserve in Honduras.
What is the habitat of the Cerro Pital salamander?
This species inhabits cloud forests at high elevations, specifically between 2,150 and 2,750 meters (7,050 to 9,020 feet) above sea level.
What are the physical characteristics of the Cerro Pital salamander?
It is a medium-sized salamander for its genus, with snout-to-vent lengths ranging from 37.4 to 52.0 mm. Its uppersides are dark grayish-brown, while its undersides are pale brown with whitish spots, and its sides feature clay-colored markings.
Why is the Cerro Pital salamander critically endangered?
The species is critically endangered due to its very small geographic range, estimated at 99 km², which is experiencing ongoing degradation. Threats include habitat loss from agricultural expansion, wildfires, road construction, and increased human activity.
Related Salamander and Newt species
Ambystoma leorae
The Leora's stream salamander (Ambystoma leorae) is a critically endangered mole salamander endemic to a very small region within Mexico's Iztaccihuatl-Popocatepetl National Park. Its survival is threatened by its specific water quality requirements and human activities such as water extraction, cattle grazing, and direct consumption, leading to a single known population persisting on Mount Tlaloc.
Bolitoglossa synoria
The Cerro Pital salamander (Bolitoglossa synoria) is a species of plethodontid salamander found along the Honduras-El Salvador border, specifically on the mountain of Cerro El Pital. It is a medium-sized salamander characterized by its dark grayish-brown uppersides, pale brown undersides with whitish spots, and clay-colored markings on its sides. This species is critically endangered due to its limited range and ongoing habitat degradation.
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