Chiropterotriton, also known as splayfoot salamanders or flat-footed salamanders, is a genus of salamanders in the family Plethodontidae. The genus is endemic to Mexico.[1]
Chiropterotriton are widely distributed in northern and eastern Mexico. They are an ecologically diverse group, occupying a range of habitats, including cloud forests, pine-oak forests, oak forests, and caves. They may be found in various microhabitats, such as arboreal bromeliads, rock crevices, caves, and terrestrial cover objects. Most species are superficially similar in their appearance, making species delimitation by purely morphological means difficult. However, molecular methods have aided description of new species.[2]
As of early 2019, this genus includes the following 18 species:[1][3]
Binomial Name and Author Common Name Chiropterotriton arboreusGarcía-Castillo et al., 2018
Atzalan golden salamander Chiropterotriton chicoGarcía-Castillo, Rovito, Wake, and Parra-Olea, 2017
El Chico salamander Chiropterotriton chiropterusGarcía-Castillo et al., 2018
Cloud forest salamander from Cofre de Perote Chiropterotriton orculus
Miquihuana splayfoot salamander (Chiropterotriton miquihuanus) Municipality of Miquihuana, Tamaulipas, Mexico (5 July 2004). Chiropterotriton, also known as splayfoot salamanders or flat-footed salamanders, is a genus of salamanders in the family Plethodontidae. The genus is endemic to Mexico.
Chiropterotriton are widely distributed in northern and eastern Mexico. They are an ecologically diverse group, occupying a range of habitats, including cloud forests, pine-oak forests, oak forests, and caves. They may be found in various microhabitats, such as arboreal bromeliads, rock crevices, caves, and terrestrial cover objects. Most species are superficially similar in their appearance, making species delimitation by purely morphological means difficult. However, molecular methods have aided description of new species.
