Aquiloeurycea galeanae

Aquiloeurycea galeanae, commonly known as the Galeana false brook salamander, is a species of salamander in the family Plethodontidae. It is endemic to north-eastern Mexico and known from higher elevations in the Sierra Madre Oriental of southern Nuevo León as well as adjacent Coahuila and Tamaulipas.

Description

Aquiloeurycea galeanae is a relatively large salamander. Two males in the type series measure and four females in snout–vent length. The tail is shorter than the body; the maximum SVL and total length are, respectively. The head is relatively large and wider than the body. The eyes are moderately large. The digits are webbed at their base and have rounded pads at their tips. Skin is smooth. The body is slaty to purplish black. There are a few relatively large, irregular whitish lichen like spots, particularly on the tail, and smaller flecks of brown, tan, to dull red specks on the dorsum. The ventrum is slightly lighter than the dorsum. The tips of the digits are also lighter in color.

Habitat and conservation

Natural habitats of this species are semi-open pine-oak forests with madrone and agaves at elevations of above sea level, up to 2936 meters in Tamaulipas. It is a terrestrial salamander that can be found under stones. It tolerates some habitat modification and has been found in agave plantations and scrubby open country. It can be locally abundant. The main threat to this species is complete clearance of its habitats. It is not known to occur in any protected area.