Bolitoglossa nicefori
Encyclopedia
Bolitoglossa nicefori is a single species belonging to the largest and most widely distributed genus
of salamanders in the world today, consisting of up to 101 different species. (See Bolitoglossa
). The species is a member of the Plethodontidae family. It is endemic to Colombia
, and its natural habitat
s are subtropical or tropical moist montane
s, plantation
s , and heavily degraded former forest.
The greatest threat posed to this species is habitat loss, however they are currently nowhere near the risk of extinction.
This species inhabits both arboreal and terrestrial sites. The majority of them (85%) have been found on herbaceous plants such as the organic coffee plants of large plantations Columbian municipalities. Preovulatory and pregnant females exclusively inhabit the leaf litter between the months of January and March.
. Females on the other hand are seasonal reproducers between the dry months of April and June. "Eggs are laid and brooded during the dry season, and hatchlings emerge during the rainy season when moisture is favorable to growth and dispersal." Climate, microhabitat, and availability and abundance of resources can all have an effect on this process. Females produce one clutch (eggs)
per year, consisting of anywhere between 20-50 eggs, and matings occur around the same general time of egg-laying.
The population exhibits strong sexual dimorphism
in body size between male and female B. nicefori. Males reach a standard length of 29-50 mm at maturation, whereas females are considerably larger reaching a standard length of 39-75 mm. The overall time it takes for these salamanders to completely mature is thought to be approximately 6 years.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of salamanders in the world today, consisting of up to 101 different species. (See Bolitoglossa
Bolitoglossa
Bolitoglossa also called Tropical climbing salamanders or Web-footed Salamanders is a genus of salamanders in the Plethodontidae family. Their range is Central and South America: Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, northeastern Brazil, and central Bolivia...
). The species is a member of the Plethodontidae family. It is endemic to Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
, and its natural habitat
Habitat
* Habitat , a place where a species lives and grows*Human habitat, a place where humans live, work or play** Space habitat, a space station intended as a permanent settlement...
s are subtropical or tropical moist montane
Montane
In biogeography, montane is the highland area located below the subalpine zone. Montane regions generally have cooler temperatures and often have higher rainfall than the adjacent lowland regions, and are frequently home to distinct communities of plants and animals.The term "montane" means "of the...
s, plantation
Plantation
A plantation is a long artificially established forest, farm or estate, where crops are grown for sale, often in distant markets rather than for local on-site consumption...
s , and heavily degraded former forest.
The greatest threat posed to this species is habitat loss, however they are currently nowhere near the risk of extinction.
Habitat
The general habitat for B. nicefori consists of various locations throughout Columbia including: Piedecuesta, Hacienda el Robles, and Mesa de los Santons municipalies, Santander, Microcuenca la Venta, and Verea la Amarillas. The climate of the overall habitat is a highly disturbed tropical forest with average rainfall per year of 1,160 mm and an average temperature of 17.36°C.This species inhabits both arboreal and terrestrial sites. The majority of them (85%) have been found on herbaceous plants such as the organic coffee plants of large plantations Columbian municipalities. Preovulatory and pregnant females exclusively inhabit the leaf litter between the months of January and March.
Diet
Their diet consists of a wide range of arthropods. Their most prominent prey are ants, beetles, and larval flies. In rare cases, small traces of vegetation have been found to contribute to their diet. They either actively hunt or 'sit and wait' to catch their prey. Overall their hunting has only a small effect on even their most prominent food source species.Sexual Maturity: Reproductive activity and Size at Maturation
Male B. nicefori are capable of sexual activity year round, continually undergoing spermatogenesisSpermatogenesis
Spermatogenesis is the process by which male primary germ cells undergo division, and produce a number of cells termed spermatogonia, from which the primary spermatocytes are derived. Each primary spermatocyte divides into two secondary spermatocytes, and each secondary spermatocyte into two...
. Females on the other hand are seasonal reproducers between the dry months of April and June. "Eggs are laid and brooded during the dry season, and hatchlings emerge during the rainy season when moisture is favorable to growth and dispersal." Climate, microhabitat, and availability and abundance of resources can all have an effect on this process. Females produce one clutch (eggs)
Clutch (eggs)
A clutch of eggs refers to all the eggs produced by birds or reptiles, often at a single time, particularly those laid in a nest.In birds, destruction of a clutch by predators, , results in double-clutching...
per year, consisting of anywhere between 20-50 eggs, and matings occur around the same general time of egg-laying.
The population exhibits strong sexual dimorphism
Sexual dimorphism
Sexual dimorphism is a phenotypic difference between males and females of the same species. Examples of such differences include differences in morphology, ornamentation, and behavior.-Examples:-Ornamentation / coloration:...
in body size between male and female B. nicefori. Males reach a standard length of 29-50 mm at maturation, whereas females are considerably larger reaching a standard length of 39-75 mm. The overall time it takes for these salamanders to completely mature is thought to be approximately 6 years.