Cortés Salamander

Cryptotriton nasalis are tiny emo salamanders. Males measure 24–32 mm (0.94–1.26 in) and adult females 28–35 mm (1.1–1.4 in) in snout–vent length (SVL). The tail is longer than the body in males (range 1.14–1.35 times the SVL) and many females (range 0.80–1.27 times the SVL). The head is moderately long and broad. The nostril openings are large and the eyes are protuberant. The limbs are slender and comparatively long. The fingers and the toes are partially webbed. The upper surfaces are dark brown with paler brown mottling behind the eyelids and along the middorsal line to the tail base. The upper surfaces of the limbs are paler than the body, whereas the tail is darker than the body.

Cryptotriton nasalis occurs in pre-montane and lower montane wet and cloud forests at elevations of 1,150–2,200 m (3,770–7,220 ft) above sea level. It tolerates some habitat modification. It is an arboreal salamander that lives in bromeliads. It is reasonably common in the Cusuco National Park in Honduras, whereas only one specimen is known from Guatemala, despite research activity in the area. The Guatemalan location is near the Sierra Caral Amphibian Reserve. It also occurs in the Cerro Azul de Copán National Park. The species is threatened by the loss of its forest habitat caused by expanding subsistence agriculture and illegal logging. These threats also impact the Cusuco and Sierra Caral protected areas.

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