Salamanders of Guatemala
There are around 50 species of salamander found in Guatemala and they all belong to a family called the Plethodontidae, also known as the lungless salamanders. Having no lungs, they breathe by absorbing oxygen through their skin and mouth lining. This means that if they dry out they can no longer breathe, therefore they tend to be restricted to damp environments and microhabitats. This leads salamanders to becoming very secretive animals, either spending much of their time in log piles or in bromeliads and mosses up in the trees.
Many species, especially those found in the highlands, have restricted ranges. This makes them vulnerable to habitat loss and threat of emerging amphibian diseases such as salamander chytrid fungus, also known as BSal. One aim of Indigo Expeditions work in the Central Guatemalan Highlands of Alta Verapaz is to monitor the populations of salamander at our study site to help conserve the species present and, in partnership with Universidad de Valle de Guatemala (UVG) and CCFC, monitor the disease status of those populations.
Alta Verapaz
So far Indigo Expeditions has confirmed that at least three species of salamanders are present at our site in the Alta Verapaz as part of our amphibian conservation work, two of which (Bolitoglossa mulleri and B. helmrichi) are only known from a few populations in Guatemala.
It is likely that over time several more species will be confirmed here.
Laguna del Tigre
Because the lowlands of Laguna del Tigre National Park are much drier, the diversity of its salamander fauna is much lower and only one species, the Mexican mushroom-tongue salamander (Bolitoglossa mexicana) is found there. While this species is probably a fairly common inhabitant of the Tropical Humid Forest of Laguna del Tigre, we do not encounter them regularly. Mexican mushroom-tongue salamanders seem to only appear above ground after recent rains, so the timing of our surveys is critical to finding them.
Xucaneb Amphibian Project
Guatemala has a rich diversity of salamanders, especially for such as small country, that range from some of the smallest in the world, between 2 – 3 cm snout-vent length in the case of species of Cryptotriton, to some of the largest that reach 14-15 cm in snout-vent length like the giant palm salamander, Bolitoglossa dofleini.
It is such a privilege to be able to work with these amazing and elusive animals.
Bolitoglossa rufescens, Red Mushroom tongue salamander
Salamander and landscape
Bolitoglossa helmrichi
Bolitoglossa mexicana, Mexican Mushroom tongue salamander
Bolitoglossa dofleini, giant palm salamander
Bolitoglossa nympha, dwarf mushroom tongue salamander
Bolitoglossa mulleri, Mullers mushroom tongue salamander
Bolitoglossa mexicanus, Mexican mushroom tongue-salamander
Bolitoglossa mexicana, Mexican mushroom tongue salamander
Bolitoglossa dofleini, giant palm salamander
Bolitoglossa mexicana, Mexican mushroom tongue salamander
Bolitoglossa helmrichi Helmrichs climbing salamander
Bolitoglossa mexicana, Mexican mushroom tongue salamander
Bolitoglossa rufescens, Red Mushroom tongue salamander
Bolitoglossa helmrichi, Helmrichs climbing salamander
Bolitoglossa mulleri, Mullers mushroom tongue salamander
Bolitoglossa helmrichi, Alta Verapaz mushroom tongue-salamander
We live in Coban, near the town’s center. We just found what we think is a bokitoglossa mulleri walking down our corridor!
We thought you might find that interesting. We have been very lucky as this is probably the third or fourth time over a few years that we have seen salamanders around our yard.
We also have a budding biologist at home and would love to have the opportunity to meet you and visit your project, if possible.
Hi Luisa, thank you for your very interesting comment. That is amazing that you have salamanders in your yard in the center of Coban! Its just amazing how wildlife survives in urban areas. I would be very happy to have a look at any photos you might have of your salamander and to help confirm its identity.
The Indigo Field Team will be out to our study site, not far outside of Coban, this week and we will be there for the next few weeks. I will have to check with our partners who run the project we stay at to see if a site visit is possible for you. It would be great to meet you and your budding biologist!