San Martin Pigmy Salamander
Thorius narismagnus
Overview
Thorius narismagnus is a species of salamander in the family Plethodontidae. It is endemic to the San Martin Tuxtla volcano, in the Sierra de los Tuxtlas range in southern Veracruz state, Mexico. Its common name is San Martin pigmy salamander. Natural habitats of Thorius narismagnus are lowland and intermediate tropical forests. It occurs under rotten logs and among leaf-litter, and especially under fallen bromeliads.
Thorius narismagnus faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion and logging activities in its restricted montane forest range. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to local environmental changes, with deforestation for coffee cultivation and cattle ranching fragmenting its cloud forest habitat. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the moisture regimes essential for this salamander's survival in high-elevation environments.
Habitat
This critically endangered salamander inhabits cloud forests and pine-oak forests at elevations between 2,400-3,100 meters in the mountains of Oaxaca, Mexico. It requires cool, humid microhabitats with abundant leaf litter and moss cover, typically found in undisturbed montane forest ecosystems.
Conservation measures underway
Other threatened species in PLETHODONTIDAE
Threatened in Mexico
Frequently asked questions
Why is San Martin Pigmy Salamander classified as Critically Endangered?
Where does San Martin Pigmy Salamander live?
What are the main threats to San Martin Pigmy Salamander?
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