Thorius pennatulus
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| Thorius pennatulus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Urodela |
| Family: | Plethodontidae |
| Genus: | Thorius |
| Species: | T. pennatulus |
| Binomial name | |
| Thorius pennatulus Cope, 1869 | |
Thorius pennatulus is a species of salamander in the family Plethodontidae and one of the smallest tetrapods, with adults reaching a length of about 15 to 21 millimetres (0.59 to 0.83 in).[2] It is endemic to the mountains of Veracruz, Mexico.[3]
Thorius pennatulus is a very small species of salamander reaching a total length of up to 21 millimetres (0.83 in). The head is broad with a pointed snout, small nostrils and protuberant eyes. The tail and limbs are relatively long. The hands and feet are slender with short digits, the longest of which are pointed. The colour is generally pale brown with a regular pattern of darker markings on the back.[2]
Distribution and habitat
Thorius pennatulus has been found at several locations on the Gulf slope of the northern Sierra Madre de Oaxaca, between 1,000 and 1,500 meters elevation.[1] It is a terrestrial species and during the day hides under rocks, in or under rotten logs or among leaf litter in banana plantations.[2] It inhabits cloud forest and lower altitude forest and is also found in damp coffee plantations.