Order Urodela Higher classification Chiropterotriton | Phylum Chordata Family Plethodontidae Scientific name Chiropterotriton cracens Rank Species | |
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The graceful splayfoot salamander or graceful flat-footed salamander (Chiropterotriton cracens) is a species of salamander in the family Plethodontidae. It is endemic to the Tamaulipas state in northeastern Mexico. Its type locality is near Gómez Farías, Tamaulipas.
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Description
Chiropterotriton cracens is a small, slender salamander. Adults measure 24–31 mm (0.94–1.22 in) in snout–vent length. The tail is long, maximally 1.5 times the snout-vent length. Limbs are well developed; hind legs are slightly longer than forelegs. Dorsal colour is light brown, sides are slightly darker.
Females collected in summer had more and smaller eggs than those collected in spring when eggs were quite large, 1–2.5 mm (0.039–0.098 in), but few in number (3-5 per side). Juveniles (12–14 mm (0.47–0.55 in) body length) have been collected in May and August.
Habitat and conservation
Its natural habitat are cloud forests where it lives in bromeliads.
Chiropterotriton cracens only known from the Reserva de la Biósfera Rancho del Cielo, a protected area. Despite this, Chiropterotriton cracens has declined. The reasons for this decline are unknown but could relate to climate change or disease (e.g. chytridiomycosis).