Cave splayfoot salamander

Chiropterotriton mosaueri is a representative of the family of lung lots salamander that lives in caves. It is endemic native to Mexico and was rediscovered after its first description in 1941 until 2010. Overall, very little is known about the animals.

Features

Chiropterotriton mosaueri is a medium sized representatives of the lung lots salamander. He is about 10 cm long with a round cross-section tail with about 6 cm is slightly longer than the rest of the body. His snout is relatively large and short with prominent upper lip. The limbs are very long and end in flat fingers and toes, each of which has webbed feet. On both sides of the body are 12 or 13 furrows to find the laterally extending as far over the abdomen. The animals are dark brown in color and have no recognizable pattern on the upper side. On the brighter gefärbeten bottom some darker spots are visible.

Distribution and habitat

The species has been found only in a cave near Durango, in the state of Hidalgo in 2160 m height. The exact location of the cave has not been described; it lies on the edge of the National Park Los Mármoles.

Chiropterotriton mosaueri lives in damp caves and crevices in pine-oak forests. Because of deforestation around the caves and the dehydration associated the habitat for the animals.