Atoyac Minute Salamander
Thorius infernalis
Overview
Thorius infernalis, commonly known as the Atoyac minute salamander, is a species of salamander in the family Plethodontidae. It is endemic to Mexico where it is only known from its type locality in the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains in central Guerrero. Its natural habitat is riparian vegetation along hillsides, presumably in forest.
Much of the potential habitat is already converted into coffee plantations. It is threatened by habitat loss caused by expanding agriculture and human settlements.
The Atoyac Minute Salamander faces severe threats from deforestation and habitat conversion within its narrow cloud forest range near Atoyac de Alvarez, Guerrero, driven by agricultural expansion and human settlement. Because the species has an extremely restricted distribution, even localized habitat disturbance can disproportionately affect its already small population. Climate-driven shifts in cloud forest moisture levels pose an additional risk, as lungless salamanders depend heavily on consistently humid microhabitats for cutaneous respiration.
Habitat
This species inhabits the leaf litter and moss layers of pristine cloud forests in Mexico's Sierra Madre Oriental at elevations between 1,800-2,400 meters. The salamander requires the consistently cool, humid microclimate created by persistent fog and mist, typically found in areas with dense canopy cover and minimal human disturbance.
Conservation measures underway
Other threatened species in PLETHODONTIDAE
Threatened in Mexico
Frequently asked questions
Why is Atoyac Minute Salamander classified as Critically Endangered?
Where does Atoyac Minute Salamander live?
What are the main threats to Atoyac Minute Salamander?
Get weekly conservation intelligence
One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.
Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.