Orphan Salamander
Bolitoglossa capitana
Photo: (c) Juan Sebastián León Lleras, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Juan Sebastián León Lleras
Overview
The orphan salamander is a species of salamander in the family Plethodontidae. It is endemic to Colombia, only known from the type locality, "Hacienda La Victoria", an orphanage 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) north of Albán along the road to Sasaima in the Eastern Ranges at around 1,780 metres (5,840 ft) altitude. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Bolitoglossa capitana faces severe threats from rapid deforestation and agricultural expansion throughout its extremely limited range in Costa Rica's cloud forests. The species' dependence on specific microhabitat conditions makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation, as even small disturbances can eliminate suitable breeding sites. Climate change poses an additional critical threat, as rising temperatures are causing upward shifts in cloud forest zones, potentially eliminating the cool, moist conditions this salamander requires for survival.
Habitat
This salamander inhabits the leaf litter and understory of pristine cloud forests at elevations between 1,400-2,100 meters in Costa Rica's Cordillera de Tilarán. It requires consistently cool, humid microclimates with dense canopy cover and abundant moss and bromeliad growth that maintain the moisture levels essential for its survival.
Conservation measures underway
Other threatened species in PLETHODONTIDAE
Threatened in Colombia
Frequently asked questions
Why is Orphan Salamander classified as Critically Endangered?
Where does Orphan Salamander live?
What are the main threats to Orphan Salamander?
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