Chytridiomycosis
detected for the first time in north-east Colombia
February
2013. A team of young researchers from Colombia have recently found two new
species of salamander that were discovered during a project supported by the
Conservation Leadership Programme and Save Our Species.
The
two new salamanders belong to the genus Bolitoglossa, otherwise known as
tropical climbing or web-footed salamanders. One of the salamanders (B. leandrae) has been named after an
11-year old girl who became friends with the team whilst they conducted their
fieldwork. "Leandra grew fascinated by the world of amphibians,"
explains team leader Aldemar Acevedo. "She was eager to learn about our
work and became an excellent spokesperson for nature conservation among the
community."
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Bolitoglossa tamaense.
Credit: Aldemar Acevedo.
|
Small
salamander
Bolitoglossa leandrae is a relatively small salamander (its body measures roughly 2.5 cm in length, about the size of a 50 pence, 20 cent or US quarter coin) with a narrow head and long, slender tail. Males are dark brown with thin yellow stripes along the length of the body and females are reddish brown.
Bolitoglossa leandrae is a relatively small salamander (its body measures roughly 2.5 cm in length, about the size of a 50 pence, 20 cent or US quarter coin) with a narrow head and long, slender tail. Males are dark brown with thin yellow stripes along the length of the body and females are reddish brown.
Bolitoglossa tamaense is slightly longer
than B. leandrae (the body of
the longest specimen measured approximately 5 cm, or the same as the height of
a credit card) and has a broad head and relatively long body and legs. A number
of different colourations and patterns were recorded, but the body is generally
brown or dark red, and the tail and limbs can be dark brown, red, orange or
yellow.
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