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Skulls of eight Chiropterotriton species seen in dorsal view. (A) C. casasi sp. nov.-holotype, MVZ 92874, an adult male; (B) C. ceronorum sp. nov.-holotype, USNM 224212, an adult male; (C) C. lavae-neotype, MVZ 163912, an adult male; (D) C. melipona sp. nov.-paratype, MVZ 178706, an adult male; (E) C. orculus-neotype, MVZ 138783, an adult male; (F) C. perotensis sp. nov. -paratype, MVZ 200693, an adult male; (G) C. totonacus sp. nov.-holotype, MVZ 163945, an adult female; (H) C. chiropterus-MVZ 85602, an adult male. Arrows point to the prominent frontoparietal fontanel in the cranial roof in (D) and (F), to the unusually narrow ascending processes of the premaxillary bone at the rostral end of the skull in (D) and (G), and to the tiny septomaxillary bones adjacent to the external nares in (E) and (H). All skulls are depicted at the same length; scale bar, 1 mm. Anterior is at the top. Images are derived from µCT scans. Full-size DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8800/fig-6
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The genus Chiropterotriton is endemic to Mexico with a geographical distribution along the Sierra Madre Oriental, the Trans Mexican Volcanic Belt and the Sierra de Juárez. The recent use of molecular tools has shown that Mexico’s amphibian diversity is highly underestimated, including a large number of cryptic, unnamed species. Chiropterotriton has...
Citations
... Mexico is the second most salamander-diverse country globally, boasting 159 species (AmphibiaWeb 2024). Plethodontids represent the most varied family, with the state of Puebla hosting 23 species (Woolrich-Piña et al. 2017, Parra-Olea et al. 2020, Fernández-Badillo 2020. The genus Pseudoeurycea stands out as the most diverse in Mexico, with seven recorded species in Puebla. ...
We report Pseudoeurycea jaguar in the state of Puebla and the first record of a scorpion preying on a salamander
... stormi). More recently, Parra Olea et al. [11] discovered five cryptic lineages in Chiropterotriton from Mexico, several of which are threatened due to their restricted ranges [11]. Species with small ranges and/or limited dispersal capabilities can be harder to protect because their distributions often do not fall within protected areas [12] and small ranges are often used as a factor in assigning conservation priorities [13]. ...
... stormi). More recently, Parra Olea et al. [11] discovered five cryptic lineages in Chiropterotriton from Mexico, several of which are threatened due to their restricted ranges [11]. Species with small ranges and/or limited dispersal capabilities can be harder to protect because their distributions often do not fall within protected areas [12] and small ranges are often used as a factor in assigning conservation priorities [13]. ...
The geographic distribution of genetic variation within a species reveals information about its evolutionary history, including responses to historical climate change and dispersal ability across various habitat types. We combine genetic data from salamander species with geographic, climatic, and life history data collected from open-source online repositories to develop a machine learning model designed to identify the traits that are most predictive of unrecognized genetic lineages. We find evidence of hidden diversity distributed throughout the clade Caudata that is largely the result of variation in climatic variables. We highlight some of the difficulties in using machine-learning models on open-source data that are often messy and potentially taxonomically and geographically biased.
... Chiropterotriton chiropterus (Cope, 1863) is a species of plethodontid salamander, endemic to Mexico, listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN (Parra-Olea et al. 2008, 2020, IUCN 2021) and under special protection by national regulation NOM-059 (SEMARNAT 2010). Its known distribution extends from the municipality of Huatusco in northeast Veracruz, the type locality, southward to the northern part of the Sierra Madre de Oaxaca, with a reported elevational range of 1400 to 2170 m a.s.l. ...
... Its known distribution extends from the municipality of Huatusco in northeast Veracruz, the type locality, southward to the northern part of the Sierra Madre de Oaxaca, with a reported elevational range of 1400 to 2170 m a.s.l. (Parra-Olea et al. 2020). In Oaxaca, there are currently 79 records of C. chiropterus observed between 1958 and 2020 (Parra-Olea et al. 2020, GBIF 2022 although available ecological information for the species is scarce. ...
... (Parra-Olea et al. 2020). In Oaxaca, there are currently 79 records of C. chiropterus observed between 1958 and 2020 (Parra-Olea et al. 2020, GBIF 2022 although available ecological information for the species is scarce. Habitat loss, emerging diseases, land use change, and the deterioration of its microhabitat due to the removal of bromeliads for cultural purposes have been proposed as its main threats (IUCN 2021). ...
Ecological observations of Chiropterotriton chiropterus (Caudata: Plethodontidae), an
endangered salamander from Mexico
... Although the specimen is now broken in two pieces at the base of the tail and the tip of the tail is broken off and missing, measurements taken of the specimen are approximately those reported in the original description. If this specimen turns out to be the lost holotype, it will invalidate the selection of a neotype by Parra-Olea et al. (2020). Stejneger, 1907[= Oedipina collaris (Stejneger, 1907; fide, Taylor, 1944c: 226] Stejneger, 1907 or "scabby," apparently in reference to the splotchy or speckled coloration mentioned in the original description. ...
p>The known type specimens of Caudata and Gymnophiona in the collection of the Division of Amphibians and Reptiles, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, published through 2021, represent 288 names of taxa. The list is arranged alphabetically by family within Caudata and Gymnophiona and alphabetically by genus and species, as described originally within family. Each entry provides both original and current accepted genus and species names, author(s), date of publication, abbreviated type citation, page of original description, current type status, USNM (U.S. National Museum) catalog number, number of specimens, locality, collector, and date collected. Also included for each taxon are the published type locality; type material at other institutions; an etymology; and remarks on corrections or additional data for original type records, changes in type status, and information pertaining to lost, exchanged, or destroyed specimens. An index of scientific names follows the catalog.</p
... With 42 species of plethodontid salamanders (listed by Torres-Hernández et al. 2021), the state of Veracruz ranks second in terms of salamander diversity after Oaxaca with 47 species, surpassing Chiapas and Puebla (24 and 23 species, respectively). Despite having been the focus of herpetological research for decades, new species of salamanders continue to be described from Veracruz (García-Castillo et al. 2018;Sandoval-Comte et al. 2017;García-Bañuelos et al. 2020;Parra-Olea et al. 2020). ...
We describe a new species of plethodontid salamander of the genus Pseudoeurycea from the Sierra de Zongolica, Veracruz, Mexico. The new species is distinguished from all other species in the genus by morphological and genetic features and by coloration. Based on a mtDNA phylogeny, the new species belongs to the Pseudoeurycea juarezi group and is most closely related to P. ruficauda from the Sierra Mazateca in northern Oaxaca. The newly described salamander increases the number of species of plethodontid salaman-ders from Veracruz to 43 and those recognized from Mexico to 140.
Resumen: Se describe una nueva especie de salamandra pletodóntida del género Pseudoeurycea de la Sierra de Zongolica en el Estado de Veracruz. La nueva especie se distingue de todas las especies del género por características morfológicas y genéticas y patrón de coloración. Con base en la filogenia de ADN mitocondrial, la nueva especie pertenece al grupo P. juarezi y se encuentra más cercana-mente relacionada con P. ruficauda de la Sierra Mazateca en el norte de Oaxaca. La descripción de esta nueva salamandra, incrementa el número de especies de salamandras pletodóntidas de Veracruz a 43 y 140 reconocidas para México.
... At the end of the Pliocene, and because of a higher temperature, the geographical distribution of the A. taeniata-graminea complex was probably more restricted than today (Salzmann et al., 2011). At the same time, the volcanic activity of the Cofre de Perote-Citlaltépetl Volcanic Range (eastern TMVB) began in the Pliocene and continued during the Holocene, shifting southwards more recently (Negendank et al., 1985;Schaaf & Carrasco-Núñez, 2010) and promoting phylogenetic breaks in other taxa between the Sierra Mazateca and southern SMO associated with the Blanco River basin (Parra-Olea et al., 2020;Streicher et al., 2014). In this context, alternative biogeographical hypotheses (Campbell & Camarillo, 1994;Werler & Campbell, 2004). ...
Aim: The proximate ecological and evolutionary processes underlying the high biodiversity of neotropical montane cloud forests are still very poorly understood. Climatic oscillations may have contributed to vicariance and cladogenesis, but also promoted secondary contact and erosion of genetic divergence. Here we tested whether geographical diversification-or its lack thereof-in a complex of arboreal alligator lizards is explained by range shifts during Quaternary climatic oscillations.
Location: Pine-oak and cloud forests, central Mexico.
Taxon: Abronia taeniata-graminea species complex (Squamata: Anguidae: Gerrhonotinae).
Methods: We generated genomic data (ddRADseq) to infer patterns of geographical diversification in the complex, reconstruct its demographic history, estimate the timing of lineage split, and test for the presence of contemporary and/or historical hybridization. We evaluated whether the tempo and mode of diversification (i.e. strict isolation vs. secondary contact with introgression) are explained by the contemporary distribution of suitable habitats and/or range shifts experienced by the complex since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), as inferred from environmental niche modelling (ENM).
Results: Genomic data supported a marked genetic structure within the complex, and phylogenomic and dating analyses revealed cryptic lineage diversification starting at the onset of the Pleistocene followed by secondary contact with limited introgression. ENM pointed to considerable range expansions of the complex during the LGM and a marked fragmentation and scarce connectivity among contemporary populations , which was supported by genomic-based demographic reconstructions.
Main Conclusions: The geographical diversification of the complex has been moulded by vicariant events promoted by Pleistocene geologic and climatic changes impacting the distribution of their pine-oak and cloud forest habitats. Our data supported a model of divergence with introgression, indicating that pulses of population fragmentation and expansion during the Quaternary have led to multiple opportunities for both allopatric isolation and secondary contact.
... In the remaining fragments of the world's cloud forests a high diversity of amphibians has been recorded, where 65% of the species are endemic to Mexico, including some exclusive to the cloud forest where we can find taxa associated with Nearctic and Neotropical forests. The diversity of endemic species in cloud forests for Mexico has increased from 183 species registered in 2014 (Gual-Díaz and Goyenechea 2014) to 194, due to taxonomic advances and description of new species (Grünwald et al. 2019;Parra-Olea et al. 2020). However, a considerable number of endemic amphibians with distribution in the cloud forests are in some risk category under different lists such as the IUCN red list and the Official Mexican Standard NOM-059. ...
Amphibians of the Mexican Cloud Forest have a great diversity but are highly threatened. Forest endemisms are useful for recognizing biodiversity hotspots; furthermore, the interaction of historical and current events has generated areas of endemism that can be used for biological conservation in forest fragments; therefore, their identification is an essential part of the management and planning of biological conservation. Thus, our objective was to identify areas of endemism in the cloud forests of Mexico through the analysis of geographical distribution of 126 species of amphibians, as well as their conservation status to obtain information that supports the selection of priority areas for conservation. For this, the endemicity analysis method was used with three spatial scales, 1°×1°, 0.5°×0.5° and 0.25°×0.25° (lat/long), to achieve more complete results and avoid visual overrepresentation of areas of endemism. Seventeen consensus areas distributed in four of the five provinces of the Mexican Transition Zone were identified. The province of the Sierra Madre del Sur exhibited the highest amount of endemism areas, followed by the Sierra Madre Oriental, the East of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, and the Altos de Chiapas. Results indicate that the endemic areas of the Sierra Madre Oriental and Sierra Madre del Sur provinces are composed of amphibians included in the IUCN red list and the Official Mexican Standard NOM-059. Thus, the small areas of endemism in eastern and western Sierra Madre del Sur, nested within larger ones may be used to increase the protected areas of cloud forests in Mexico.
... Despite a genuine concern about amphibian overexploitation for human consumption and its effects on species population sizes (Stuart et al. 2004;Kusrini and Alford 2006;Onadeko et al. 2011;Talukdar and Sengupta 2020), data on species use are still scarce in relation to other threats considered by the IUCN. For example, although amphibian cultural importance and use has been widely documented in México, for Oaxaca, the state with the richest amphibian diversity in the country, only 7.55% (12/159) of the amphibian species present a general scheme of use according to the IUCN (Parra-Olea et al. 2020;Mata-Silva et al. 2021;IUCN 2021b). ...
Although amphibian consumption by humans has been reported globally, this practice is not well studied despite its direct implications to the decline of amphibian populations. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) recognizes the need to document the use and trade of species to be considered in assessing their extinction risk. Here the consumption of Duellmanohyla ignicolor tadpoles is documented. It is a micro endemic species categorized as Near Threatened (NT) consumed in a traditional dish called "caldo de piedra" (stone soup) prepared by the Chinantec people (Tsa Ju Jmí') in Oaxaca, Mexico. Through conversations with local people and stream monitoring, the behavior of tadpoles of this species was documented and aspects of their exploitation and habitat use described. Places where caldo de piedra is still consumed were determined and using a spatial analysis with Geographic Information Systems, the distribution of the species in relation to those localities was analyzed. A number of other areas where tadpoles of this species might also occur and be exploited is predicted. In conclusion, the school behaviour, surface feeding, and the preference for deeper waterbodies that these tadpoles exhibit makes them vulnerable to being caught in large quantities. As they are consumed locally, are not commercialized, and the species distribution range is wider than caldo de piedra consumption, this implies a low risk for their populations. However, the tadpoles' reliance on streams with depths x-= 60 cm and flux x-= 0.65 m/s reduces the availability of sites for their optimal development. A peer-reviewed open-access journal Carlos A. Flores et al. / ZooKeys 1097: 117-132 (2022) 118
... Regardless of its name and precise geographical boundaries, the Sierra de Zongolica has received scant attention from herpetologists. Most fieldwork has focused on the herpetofauna of the more northerly Orizaba-Cuautlapan-Cordoba corridor (e.g., Ceron de la Luz et al., 2016;Peralta-Hernández et al., 2020;Vásquez-Cruz et al., 2021), or the forested escarpments even farther north between Pico de Orizaba and Cofre de Perote (e.g., Murrieta-Galindo et al., 2013;García-Castillo et al., 2018;Parra Olea et al., 2020). As might be expected, recent visits to underexplored reaches of the Sierra de Zongolica have yielded two newly discovered squamate reptile species in the genera Lepidophyma (García-Vázquez et al., 2010) and Geophis (Canseco-Márquez et al., 2016). ...
We describe a new arboreal alligator lizard species in the genus Abronia from the Sierra de Zongolica in west-central Veracruz, Mexico. The new species is presently known only from the vicinity of the type locality. It is diagnosable from all congeners by the following combination of characters: one occipital scale, two primary temporal scales contacting the postocular series, moderately protuberant posterolateral head scales, lack of protuberant or spine-like supra- auricular scales, 30–34 transverse dorsal scale rows, dorsal scales on the flanks arranged in slightly oblique longitudinal rows relative to the ventrolateral fold, and lateralmost ventral scale row unexpanded relative to the adjacent medial row. The new species occurs sympatrically with Abronia graminea, but genomic data assign it to the oaxacae group as the sister species of A. oaxacae, a finding that is corroborated by morphological evidence. We briefly discuss the regional biogeography of arboreal Abronia and comment on the Sierra de Zongolica as a complex transitional area of high species richness and conservation importance. ––––––––––––––––––––––Se describe una nueva especie de lagartija arbórea del género Abronia de la Sierra de Zongolica en el centro-oeste de Veracruz, México. Esta nueva especie se conoce actualmente sólo en las cercanías de la localidad tipo. Se puede distinguir de todos sus congéneres por medio de la siguiente combinación de caracteres: una escama occipital, dos escamas temporales primarias en contacto con la serie postocular, escamas posterolaterales de la cabeza moderadamente protuberantes, ausencia de escamas supra-auriculares protuberantes o espinosas, 30–34 hileras transversales de escamas dorsales, escamas dorsales en los flancos dispuestas en hileras longitudinales ligeramente oblicuas con respecto al pliegue ventrolateral, y la hilera de escamas ventral más lateral sin expandir con respecto a la hilera media adyacente. La nueva especie es simpátrica con Abronia graminea, sin embargo, los datos genómicos la asignan al grupo oaxacae como la especie hermana de A. oaxacae, asignación que se corrobora por la evidencia morfológica. Se discute brevemente sobre la biogeografía regional de las especies arborícolas de Abronia y se resalta la Sierra de Zongolica como un área de transición compleja con una alta riqueza de especies e importante para la conservación.
... Therefore, the potential introduction and spread of this pathogen must be considered a latent threat for salamander-rich regions in continents where this pathogen is not currently present or still undetected (e.g., the Western hemisphere). et al., 2000;Hanken & Wake, 1994;Parra-Olea et al., 2020). Their highly restricted distributions, together with significant ongoing threats, make species within this group highly prone to extinction (Ripple et al., 2017), with nearly 60% of its species categorized as Endangered (EN) or Critically Endangered (CR) on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species™ (hereafter IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™; IUCN, 2021). ...
Emergent infectious disease caused by the fungal pathogens Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis ( Bd ) and Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans ( Bsal ) represents one of the major causes of biodiversity loss in amphibians. While Bd has affected amphibians worldwide, Bsal remains restricted to Asia and Europe, but also could be a major threat for salamanders in the Western hemisphere, including the 320 bolitoglossine species described. Here, we predict the suitable areas for Bsal in the Neotropics and assess its potential impact on bolitoglossine diversity. For this, we determined the geographic patterns of taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional diversity for bolitoglossines and modeled the potential distribution of Bsal in the Neotropics. We identified which species and regions could be at risk from an eventual introduction of Bsal in the region, quantified the degree of overlap between regions of high diversity and the suitable conditions for the pathogen, and considered species IUCN Red List status, and geographic range size. We found that regions of high taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional diversity are concentrated in the Trans‐Mexican Volcanic Belt, Sierra Madre Oriental, the southern portion of Sierra Madre del Sur and the mountains of Oaxaca in México, as well as the Chiapan‐Guatemalan highlands, and the Cordilleras of Costa Rica and Panama. Alarmingly, the regions of high diversity for bolitoglossines and over 75% of the ranges of the more threatened species could be affected by Bsal . Given the unknown vulnerability of these species, we strongly recommend measures to avoid the introduction of Bsal in the continent.
Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.
