Bolitoglossa rufescens (Cope, 1869)

Bolitoglossa rufescens, commonly called the northern banana salamander, is a small terrestrial and arboreal salamander species.

Size and Comparison

Adults have a snout–vent length of 35–36 mm (1.4–1.4 in) and a total length of 65–70 mm (2.6–2.8 in), making it smaller than many other species in the genus Bolitoglossa, including the longer Bolitoglossa odonnelli (O'Donnell's salamander).

Habitat Range

This species lives in tropical and subtropical moist lowland rain forests, mountain ecosystems, citrus orchards, banana plantations, and pine plantations.

Microhabitat Preference

It is found most often in bromeliads within tropical and subtropical wet forests.

Dorsal Coloring

The dorsal side of Bolitoglossa rufescens ranges from pale brown to tan brown. Lighter individuals may have longitudinal streaks or specks on their back.

Ventral Coloring

Most individuals have a ventral side that is grey or paler than the dorsal side, and some have uniform ventral coloring.

Facial Streak

A dark brown streak typically runs from behind the eyes toward the posterior end of the body, and can extend at least halfway down the body length.

Costal Grooves

The species has a robust body, with 11 costal grooves running longitudinally between the legs, plus 3 additional costal grooves between the limbs. These grooves help the salamander with water transport, enhance respiration, and aid thermoregulation.

Limb Features

It has webbed fingers and toes: 4 digits on each front limb, and 5 digits on each hind limb.

Snout Shape

Its snout is truncate and slightly projects when viewed from the anterior dorsal side.

Respiratory Trait

Like other members of its family, this is a lungless salamander that breathes entirely through its skin and the lining of its mouth.

Reproduction Cycle and Fertilization

Northern banana salamanders reproduce biennially, with internal fertilization. After courtship, during which breeding males develop an enlarged courtship gland to stimulate the female, the female picks up egg packets from the substrate through her cloaca.

Egg Laying

Fertilized eggs are laid in moist locations on land. This species has an average clutch size of 13.5 eggs, with an average egg diameter of 1.9 mm.

Development

Eggs develop entirely on land, and undergo direct development.

Sexual Dimorphism

Sexual dimorphism between males and females of this species is minimal.