This taxon is found in the Sierra Madre de Oaxaca pine-oak forests, an ecoregion of northern Oaxaca, Mexico exhibiting a large number of endangered species, so that the conservation value is outstanding in terms of uniqueness of the habitat. The Sierra Madre de Oaxaca pine-oak forests is within the Tropical and Subtropical Conifer Forests biome, and the ecoregion is known for elevated plant endemism, especially within the Sierra de Juarez montane forests.
This ecoregion is located in northern Oaxaca State, and is delineated by the Sierra Norte de Oaxaca Mountains, which have characteristically abrupt and rugged topography. Its tallest peak is Zempoaltepetl (3400 metres), and most of the terrain in this area is above 1000 metres. Three mountain chains or sierras constitute the Sierra Madre de Oaxaca: Juarez, Aloapaneca and Zempoaltepec. The climate is temperate and humid with annual temperatures ranging from 16°C to 20°C. The annual mean precipitation varies greatly from 700 millimetres (mm) to as great as 4000 mm.
The forests also exhibit a high diversity of amphibians, including: the endemic Acultzingo Pigmy Salamander (Thorius dubitus EN), known only from the type locality near Puerto del Aire near Veracruz; the endemic Claw-toed False Brook Salamander (Pseudoeurycea unguidentis CR), known solely from Cerro San Felipe /Cerro San Luis in north-central Oaxaca; the endemic Lower Cerro Pygmy Salamander (Thorius pulmonaris EN), known only from Cerro San Felipe region, central Oaxaca; MacDougal's Pygmy Salamander (Thorius macdougalli VU); and the endemic Mexican Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum CR), found in Lakes Chalco and Xochimilco of the Valley of Mexico near Mexico City; the near-endemic Sierra Juarez Moss Salamander (Cryptotriton adelos EN); the endemic Schmidt's Pygmy Salamander (Thorius schmidti EN), known only from near the village of Zoquitlán in southern Puebla, Mexico; and the endemic Mustache False Brook Salamander (Pseudoeurycea mystax EN).
The Sierra Juarez Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus cryptus) is endemic to the ecoregion, and limited in range to drier parts of the Sierra de Juarez, in northeastern Oaxaca. There are a number of threatened reptilian taxa in the ecoregion including theRibbon Graceful Brown Snake (Rhadinaea fulvivittis VU), a limited distribution snake endemic to southern Mexico.
Avian taxa found here include the Dwarf Jay (Cyanolyca nana EN), Bearded Tree Quail (Dendrortyx barbatus CR), Tamaulipas Pygmy-owl (Glaucidium sanchezi) and Grey-barred Wren (Campylorhynchus megalopterus) as restricted-range bird species, which includes this ecoregion. The Oaxaca Sparrow (Aimophila notosticta NT), Golden-cheeked Warbler (Dendroica chrysoparia EN), Russet Nightingale-thrush (Catharus occidentalis), Hooded Yellowthroat (Geothlypis nelsoni), and Collared Towhee (Pipilo ocai) are also species which thrive in the habitats offered by this mountainous ecoregion.
This ecoregion presents a mosaic of vegetatative associations, due to the varied climate and topography. These formations include tropical evergreen forest, montane cloud forest, pine forest, pine-oak forest, and oak forest. The pine forests, at elevations between 1600 and 2600 metres (m), include trees that are 25 to 40 m tall. Dominant pine species are Mexican White Pine (Pinus ayacahuite); Lawson's Pine (P. lawsonii), a Mexican endemic; Chiapas White Pine (P. strobus var. chiapensischiapensis);Michoacan Pine (P. devoniana LR/LC) and Smooth-barked Mexican Pine (P. pseudostrobus). These pine forests have a robust understory and an herbacious layer dominated by numerous species of the Ericaceae family.
Thorius dubitus, commonly known as the Acultzingo pigmy salamander, is a species of salamander in the family Plethodontidae. It is endemic to Mexico where it is found in the Sierra Madre de Oaxaca of west-central Veracruz and adjacent Puebla.[2] Its natural habitats are pine-oak cloud forests. It occurs under wood chips, logs, and rocks, and under the bark of logs and inside logs. It is threatened by habitat loss caused by logging, livestock, and subsistence agriculture.[1]
Thorius dubitus, commonly known as the Acultzingo pigmy salamander, is a species of salamander in the family Plethodontidae. It is endemic to Mexico where it is found in the Sierra Madre de Oaxaca of west-central Veracruz and adjacent Puebla. Its natural habitats are pine-oak cloud forests. It occurs under wood chips, logs, and rocks, and under the bark of logs and inside logs. It is threatened by habitat loss caused by logging, livestock, and subsistence agriculture.
La salamandra pigmea de Acultzingo (Thorius dubitus) es una especie de salamandra en la familia Plethodontidae y es endémica del Centro-Oeste de Veracruz, de México1.
Es una salamandra de la familia Plethodontidae del orden Caudata. El género Thorius es uno de los vertebrados más pequeños que existen. Esta especie es de talla pequeña y cuerpo poco robusto. Alcanza una longitud de 19 a 20 cm. La cola es corta y robusta. Los nostrilos son alargados y grandes. Las extremidades son muy cortas; los dígitos se encuentran fusionados. La coloración del cuerpo es oscura. Presenta una banda dorsal verdosa en un fondo de color grisáceo 2.
Es endémica de México y se distribuye solo para Puerto del Aire en Veracruz.
Vive entre los 2,475 a 2,800 m.s.n.m. en bosques de pino-encino 2.
Se considera como Sujeta a Protección Especial (Norma Oficial Mexicana 059) y esta como Amenazada en la lista roja de la UICN debido principalmente a la destrucción de su hábitat .
La salamandra pigmea de Acultzingo (Thorius dubitus) es una especie de salamandra en la familia Plethodontidae y es endémica del Centro-Oeste de Veracruz, de México1.
Thorius dubitus Thorius generoko animalia da. Anfibioen barruko Plethodontidae familian sailkatuta dago, Caudata ordenan.
Thorius dubitus Thorius generoko animalia da. Anfibioen barruko Plethodontidae familian sailkatuta dago, Caudata ordenan.
Thorius dubitus est une espèce d'urodèles de la famille des Plethodontidae[1].
Cette espèce est endémique du Mexique. Elle se rencontre de 2 475 à 2 800 m d'altitude à Acultzingo dans le centre de l'État de Veracruz et à Cañada Morelos dans l'est de l'État de Puebla[1].
Thorius dubitus est une espèce d'urodèles de la famille des Plethodontidae.
Thorius dubitus là một loài kỳ giông trong họ Plethodontidae. Nó là loài đặc hữu của México.
Các môi trường sống tự nhiên của chúng là các khu rừng vùng núi ẩm nhiệt đới hoặc cận nhiệt đới và các khu rừng trước đây bị suy thoái nặng nề. Nó bị đe dọa do mất môi trường sống.
Thorius dubitus là một loài kỳ giông trong họ Plethodontidae. Nó là loài đặc hữu của México.
Các môi trường sống tự nhiên của chúng là các khu rừng vùng núi ẩm nhiệt đới hoặc cận nhiệt đới và các khu rừng trước đây bị suy thoái nặng nề. Nó bị đe dọa do mất môi trường sống.