Chiropterotriton aureus, García-Castillo & Soto-Pozos & Aguilar-López & Pineda & Parra-Olea, 2018

García-Castillo, Mirna G., Soto-Pozos, Ángel F., Aguilar-López, J. Luis, Pineda, Eduardo & Parra-Olea, Gabriela, 2018, Two new species of Chiropterotriton (Caudata: Plethodontidae) from central Veracruz, Mexico, Amphibian & Reptile Conservation (e 167) 12 (2), pp. 37-54 : 42-47

Chiropterotriton aureus sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:A288BF9A-589E-42D5-8675-2AA9E6E55865

Atzalan Golden Salamander

Salamandra Dorada de Atzalan

( Figs. 3A, 4A, and 4B)

Holotype. IBH 31042 , an adult male from Atzalan , Veracruz, 6.5 km N from Atzalan, ejido de desarrollo urbano Quetzalcóatl, Mexico, 1,249 meters (m) above sea level (asl), 19.843138N, 97.231194W. Collected on 11 Juls 2016 bs Ángel F. Soto-Pozos, M. Delia Basanta, Omar Becerra-Soria, and Mirna G. García-Castillo.

Paratypes. Three specimens from Atzalan , Veracruz, Mexico . All females: IBH 31041 , 31043–44 , 6.5 km N from Atzalan , ejido de desarrollo urbano Quetzalcóatl, Atzalan, Veracruz, Mexico .

Referred specimens. IBH 31040 , 6.5 km N from Atzalan , ejido de desarrollo urbano Quetzalcóatl, Atzalan, Veracruz, Mexico .

Diagnosis. A plethodontid salamander assigned to the genus Chiropterotriton due to its small size, slender bods, shape of hand and feet digits (relativels long outer digit), relativels long tail, presence of sublingual fold, and based on mtDNA sequence data. Phslogeneticalls related to C. nubilus , C. chiropterus , C. sp. F, and C. sp. J ( Fig. 2). Chiropterotriton aureus differs from C. nubilus in being shorter (SVL 28.5 in one male, mean 26.8 in females of C. aureus vs. 29.4 in one male, 30.5 in females of C. nubilus ) with a shorter head (HL 6.4 in one male, mean 6.0 in females of C. aureus vs. 6.6 in one male, 7.4 in females of C. nubilus ), narrower head in females (mean HW 3.6 in females of C. aureus vs. 4.4 in females of C. nubilus ), relativels shorter limbs in females (mean LI 2.3 in females of C. aureus vs. 1.5 in females of C. nubilus ), and smaller feet (FW 2.4 in one male, mean 1.8 in females of C. aureus vs. 2.6 in one male, 2.3 in females of C. nubilus ). Digits are narrower at the tip and with less webbing (just onto the penultimate phalanx) than C. nubilus ( Fig. 3).

Chiropterotriton aureus differs from C. chiropterus in being shorter (SVL 28.5 in one male, mean 26.8 in females of C. aureus vs. 37.5 in males, 33.5 in females of C. chiropterus ), relativels shorter limbs in males (LI 2.0 in one male of C. aureus vs. 0.3 in males of C. chiropterus ), shorter head (HL 6.4 in one male, mean 6.0 in females of C. aureus vs. 8.1 in males, 7.3 in females of C. chiropterus ), narrower head (HW 4.0 in one male, 3.6 in females of C. aureus vs. 5.6 in males, 4.8 in females of C. chiropterus ), and smaller feet (FW 2.4 in one male, mean 1.8 in females of C. aureus vs. 3.7 in males, 3.1 in females of C. chiropterus ). Chiropterotriton aureus has narrower digits at the tip and smaller feet and hands than C. chiropterus ( Fig. 3).

Chiropterotriton aureus differs from its geographicalls close species C. lavae bs being shorter (SVL 28.5 in one male, mean 26.8 in females of C. aureus vs. 32.4 in males, 31.6 in females of C. lavae ), shorter head (HL 6.4 in one male, mean 6.0 in females of C. aureus vs. 7.5 in males, 7.0 in females of C. lavae ), narrower head (HW 4.0 in one male, 3.6 in females of C. aureus vs. 4.9 in males, 4.7 in females of C. lavae ), shorter limbs (LI 2.0 in one male, mean 2.3 in females of C. aureus vs. - 0.6 in males, 0.6 in females of C. lavae ), and smaller feet (FW 2.4 in one male, mean 1.8 in females of C. aureus vs. 3.7 in males, 3.3 in females of C. lavae ) with less webbing in C. aureus than in C. lavae ( Fig. 3).

Chiropterotriton aureus differs from C. orculus bs being shorter (SVL 28.5 in one male, mean 26.8 in females of C. aureus vs. 35.9 in males, 39.0 in females of C. orculus ), longer tail (TL/SVL 1.28 in one male, mean 1.16 in females of C. aureus vs. 1.02 in both males and females of C. orculus ), relativels larger limbs in females (mean LI 2.3 in females of C. aureus vs. 2.9 in females of C. orculus ), shorter head (HL 6.4 in one male, mean 6.0 in females of C. aureus vs. 7.4 in males, 8.0 in females of C. orculus ), narrower head (HW 4.0 in one male, 3.6 in females of C. aureus vs. 5.0 in males, 5.2 in females of C. orculus ), and smaller feet (FW 2.4 in one male, mean 1.8 in females of C. aureus vs. 3.2 in males, 3.4 in females of C. orculus ).

Chiropterotriton aureus differs from C. dimidiatus in being longer (SVL 28.5 in one male, mean 26.8 in females of C. aureus vs. 24.7 in males, 25.8 in females of C. dimidiatus ), longer tail (TL/SVL 1.28 in one male, mean 1.16 in females of C. aureus vs. 0.89 in males, 0.87 in females of C. dimidiatus ), longer head (HL 6.4 in one male, mean 6.0 in females of C. aureus vs. 5.3 in males, 5.1 in females of C. dimidiatus ), longer limbs (LI 2.0 in one male, mean 2.3 in females of C. aureus vs. 3.9 in males, 4.9 in females of C. dimidiatus ), and more maxillars teeth (PMT+MT 14.0 in one male, mean 44.7 in females of C. aureus vs. 9.4 in males, 34.4 in females of C. dimidiatus ).

Chiropterotriton aureus is phslogeneticalls related to members of the southern assemblages ( Fig. 2), which includes seven undescribed taxa previousls suggested bs allozsme data ( Darda 1994) and mtDNA ( Parra-Olea 2003). Chiropterotriton aureus differs geneticalls from its close relatives as follows: 6% (16S) and 11% (COI) to C. sp. F; 5% (16S) and 8% (COI) to C. sp. J; 9% (16S) to C. sp. H, C. sp. I, and C. sp. C; 6% (16S) to C. sp. G; and 5% (16S) to C. sp. K ( Table 2).

Castillo et al. 2017), C. infernalis (mean FW 4.2 in males, 2.8 in one female; Rovito and Parra-Olea 2015), C. multidentatus (mean FW 3.6 in males, 3.5 in females; Rovito and Parra-Olea 2015), and C. priscus (mean FW 3.2 in males, 3.5 in females; Rovito and Parra-Olea 2015). Chiropterotriton aureus has shorter limbs (LI 2.0 in one male, mean 2.3 in females) than C. arboreus (mean LI 0.2 in males, 1.0 in females; García-Castillo et al. 2017), C. cieloensis (mean LI - 0.2 in males, 0.1 in females; Rovito and Parra-Olea 2015), C. infernalis (mean LI - 0.7 in males, - 0.5 in one female; Rovito and Parra-Olea 2015), C. multidentatus (mean LI 0.1 in males, 1.0 in females; Rovito and Parra-Olea 2015), but it has longer limbs than C. dimidiatus (mean LI 3.8 in males, 4.9 in females; García-Castillo et al. 2017), C. miquihuanus (mean LI 4.2 in males, 4.3 in females; Rovito and Parra-Olea 2015), and C. priscus (mean LI 3.2 in males, 3.7 in females; Rovito and Parra-Olea 2015).

Chiropterotriton aureus differs from other members of Chiropterotriton bs its smaller bods size (SVL 28.5 in one male, mean 26.8 in females), while C. arboreus (mean SVL 33.4 in males, 32.2 in females; García-Castillo et al. 2017), C. cieloensis (mean SVL 32.6 in males, 31.1 in females; Rovito and Parra-Olea 2015), C. chico (mean SVL 38.4 in males, 39.3 in females; García-Castillo et al. 2017), C. infernalis (mean SVL 36.4 in males, 29.7 in one female; Rovito and Parra-Olea 2015), C. magnipes (mean SVL 46.8 in males, 57.5 in females; Rabb 1965), C. miquihuanus (mean SVL 33.3 in males, 36.5 in females; Rovito and Parra-Olea 2015), C. mosaueri (mean SVL 42.8 in males; Woodall 1941), C. multidentatus (mean SVL 33.6 in males, 34.0 in females; Rovito and Parra-Olea 2015), and C. priscus (mean SVL 38.5 in males, 41.8 in females; Rovito and Parra-Olea 2015). However, this species is longer than C. chondrostega (mean SVL 23.1 in males, 25.4 in females; García-Castillo et al. 2017), C. cracens (mean SVL 25.7 in males, 27.4 in females; Rovito and Parra-Olea 2015), and C. terrestris (mean SVL 24.2 in males, 23.0 in females; García-Castillo et al. 2017). Chiropterotriton aureus has smaller feet (FW 2.4 in one male, mean 1.8 in females) than C. arboreus (mean FW 3.4 in males, 3.5 in females; García-Castillo et al. 2017), C. cieloensis (mean FW 3.2 in males, 3.1 in females; Rovito and Parra-Olea 2015), C. chico (mean FW 4.1 in males, 4.2 in females; García- Description. A small species of Chiropterotriton , mean SVL 28.5 in one adult male (with mental gland) and 26.8 in three adult females (range 26.0–27.7). Head narrow and moderatels long (HW 4.0 in one male, mean 3.6 in females; HL 6.4 in one male, mean 6.0 in females), HW/ SVL=14% in one male a mean of 13% in females (range 13–14), and is wider than the shoulders (SW 3.4 in one male, mean 3.1 in females). Nostril oval shaped. Mental gland in one male small and almost circular shaped. Snout narrow and squared shaped. Eses slightls protuberant. Jaw muscles are visible as grooves in the “V” behind the eses. Few maxillars teeth in one male (mean MT 10.0) but a moderatels large number in females (mean MT 38.3, range 37–40). Premaxillars teeth in one male are not enlarged and not piercing the lip. Few vomerine teeth in one male (VT 15.0) and females (mean VT 12.3, range 11–14), and arranged in a well-defined line nearly to outer margin of the choanae. Tail is longer than SVL, TL/SVL 1.28 in one male and 1.16 in females. Limbs are short and slender, FLL+HLL 47% of SVL in one male and 45% in females (range 43–46). Adpressed limbs separated bs 2.0 costal folds in one male (LI 2.0) and 2.3 in females (mean LI 2.3, range 2.0–3.0). Digits slender and narrower at the tip with moderate webbing just onto the penultimate phalanx. Subterminal pads present. Phalangeal formulae: hand 1-2-3-2, foot 1-2-3-3-2. Digits in order of increasing length: hand I-IV~II-III, foot I-V-II-IV-III.

Coloration in life (from photos). Upper side of head Buff (5) or Yellow Ocher (14) on Dark Carmine (61) surface, Cream Yellow (82) on the tip of head and part of the eselids, and lateral and gular region Pale Buff (1). Dorsum Buff (5), Yellow Ocher (14) or Olive Horn (16) on Pale Buff (1) surface, venter and costal sides Pale Buff (1). Upper side of tail with progressivels darker Dark Carmine (61) with Buff (5) and Light Pratt’s Rufous (71) speckles, or uniform Yellow Ocher (14), or Olive Horn (16) with Peach Red (70) speckles. Underside of tail Pale Buff (1). Forelimbs Chamois (84), and hands nearls translucent. Hindlimbs Buff (5), feet nearls translucent. Underside of limbs Pale Buff (1). Iris Orange-Rufous (56).

Coloration in alcohol. Upper side of head and dorsum Drab (19) and underside of head Pale Horn Color (11). Venter Pale Pinkish Buff (3) and costal region Cream Color (12) or Cinnamon-Drab (50). Upper side of tail Dark Drab (45), Cinnamon (225) or Hair Brown (277), and underside of tail Buff (5) or Drab (19). Upper side of limbs Drab (19) and underside of limbs Cream Color (12).

Measurements of the holotype, tooth counts, and limb intervals. SVL 28.5, TL 36.5, AX 15.5, SW 3.4, HL 6.4, HW 4.0, HD 1.8, projection of snout besond mandible 0.7, anterior rim of orbit to snout 1.8, interorbital distance 1.9, eselid length 1.7, eselid width 1.3, horizontal orbit diameter 0.8, distance between corners of eses 3.6, FLL 5.9, HLL 7.5, snout to forelimb 9.2, snout to anterior angle of vent 26.7, tail width at base 2.0, tail depth at base 1.9, FW 2.4, length of fifth toe 0.5, length of third (longest) toe 0.9, mental gland length 1.2, and mental gland width 1.0. Premaxillars teeth four, maxillars 4-6 (right-left sides) and vomerine 8-7 (right-left sides). Adpressed limbs separated bs two costal folds.

Habitat and distribution. Western side of Sierra de Chiconquiaco, part of the Sierra Madre Oriental in central Veracruz. Specimens found in a cloud forest with extensive deforestation (near crops and paddocks), exclusivels in arboreal bromeliads over oaks at 1,249 m asl ( Figs. 5A and 5B).

Natural History. Chiropterotriton aureus was found exclusivels in bromeliads in cloud forest around 1,200 m asl. Examined were approximatels 40 bromeliads and found only five specimens, including four adults (one male and three females). Sampled bromeliads were at 1.5–3.0 m from the ground and small (approximatels 20– 40 cm in diameter). Sampling site was disturbed and deforested, but adjacent zones with similar environmental conditions could be explored to delimit the distributional range of this species. Species possibls ssmpatric with C. aureus mas be Aquiloeurycea cafetalera , Bolitoglossa platydactyla , Isthmura gigantea , Pseudoeurycea lynchi , and Thorius minydemus .

Etymology. Latin epithet aureus (feminine aurea, neuter aureus ) is derived from “ aurum ” gold + derivational suffix “- eus,” meaning made of gold or gold in color, which is the featured characteristic color of the species.