Dendrotriton kekchiorum
Overview
Dendrotriton or bromeliad salamanders is a genus of salamanders in the family Plethodontidae, endemic to South and Central America: from Southwestern Chiapas, Mexico, to Honduras. These are lungless species possessing a slender body, long tail and prominent eyes. They inhabit high-elevation forests with high humidity.
Dendrotriton kekchiorum faces severe habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and logging activities in Guatemala's cloud forest regions. The species' extremely limited range makes it particularly vulnerable to localized environmental changes, while climate change threatens to shift the cool, humid conditions essential for its survival to higher elevations beyond its current habitat.
Habitat
This salamander inhabits montane cloud forests at elevations between 1,400-2,100 meters in the Sierra de las Minas and Sierra del Merendón of Guatemala. It requires cool, humid microhabitats with dense vegetation cover, typically found under logs, rocks, and leaf litter in primary and secondary cloud forest environments.
Conservation measures underway
Other threatened species in PLETHODONTIDAE
Threatened in Guatemala
Frequently asked questions
Why is Dendrotriton kekchiorum classified as Critically Endangered?
Where does Dendrotriton kekchiorum live?
What are the main threats to Dendrotriton kekchiorum?
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