#plethodontidae

Bigfoot Splayfoot Salamander - Chiropterotriton magnipes 

Chiropterotriton magnipes (Caudata - Plethodontidae), is a cave dwelling salamander known only from south-eastern San Luis Potosi and eastern Queretaro, Mexico.

These little fellows have a total length of around 80-120 mm, with the tail accounting for slightly less than half of this measurement. The head is flat and wide, with large bulging eyes. This species is unique among the splayfoot salamanders in the fullness of the wedding of its feet and because it has pad-like structures on the tips of its fingers and toes.

The Bigfoot Splayfoot Salamander is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List; it has been seen very rarely in recent years, despite searches.

References: [1] - [2]

Photo credit: ©Rodrigo Villegas | Locality: not indicated (2011)

Lincoln’s Web-Footed Salamander - Bolitoglossa lincolni

Bolitoglossa lincolni (Plethodontidae) is a stout salamander with a bright coral red coloration on the back, tail, and dorsal surfaces of limbs, and sometimes the fingers and toes. It is known from the central plateau of Chiapas, Mexico, and mountainous areas of western Guatemala. It lives in low vegetation (probably including mosses), under bark, and in bromeliads, with a broad enough habitat that its populations are not declining. However, due to destruction of habitat, the species is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.

Bolitoglossa species are able to propel themselves forward by an “explosive tail flip” that carries them off the vegetation – a protective device when in danger during its daylight resting hours. Another protective behavior is to raise its tail as an offering to a predator. If the tail is grabbed, the salamander can disarticulate and run off, leaving the predator with only the tail.

Reference: [1] - [2] - [3]

Photo credit: ©Todd Pierson (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) | Locality: Cuchumatanes, Guatemala (2011)