Plethodontidae
Plethodontidae is the family of the lungless salamanders. There are 4 species in Peru, 1 in
the Madre de Dios department and 1 in the Manu area of which we include 1 species in
this guide. They are the largest and most diverse family of salamanders and none possess
lungs, relying instead on gas exchange through the skin. They are short limbed with four
fingers and five toes and possess tails of varying lengths. The genus Bolitoglossa contains the
largest number of species, and all of them possess webbing between the fingers and toes.
Identification poses a challenges, as most species in the genus are very similar and differ in
very small morphological features.
Plethodontidae
Their ecology quite variable, with some plethodontids being solely terrestrial laying their
eggs on land, whilst other have an aquatic larval phase and terrestrial adult phase. and other
species are completely aquatic. Bolitoglossa species are tipically arboreal or semiarboreal.
They can be found in a variety of habitats from lowland tropical forests to the highlands
up to 4000 m asl. The absence of lungs in these salamanders has left space in the body
cavity which has enabled them to evolve rapid projectile tongues for prey capture. In some
species these can extend as much as 80% of their body length. Their diet is comprised of
invertebrates including insects, spiders and worms.
Bolitoglossa cf. caldwellae