About
Oedipina tomasi is only known from two specimens, therefore very little is known about the habitat and ecology of this species.
This species is part of the Plethodontidae family of salamanders, which is the largest family. They are thought to have diverged from all other amphibian species around 145 million years ago at the boundary between the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. The genus Oedipina (commonly known as the “worm salamanders”) is thought to have evolved in the Oligocene period, 23-34 million years ago. This means that the worm salamanders could have been present around the same time that humans shared a common ancestor with monkeys. An interesting feature of this genus and closely related genera is that they possess male heterogamy – the presence of an X or Y-type sex chromosomes in the eggs and sperm, as is the case in humans. This species is listed as Critically Endangered as the total area this species occupies is less than 10km²! Moreover, there is ongoing habitat loss taking place within the Parque Nacional El Cusuco, resulting from shifting agriculture and conversion to coffee plantations. This species range resides within the protected area of Parque Nacional El Cusuco, but further conservation efforts are required in this area. Additional field surveys are needed to determine whether this species ranges more widely than is currently known.
- Order: Caudata
- Family: Plethodontidae
- Population: Rare
- Trend: decreasing
- Size: 57.5-62.9mm
EDGE Score
Distribution
This species is found in the Parque Nacional El Cusuco in the Sierra del Omoa, Honduras. It has been recorded at elevations of 1,780 to 1,800 metres above sea level.
Habitat and Ecology
This species has only been recorded from primary tropical cloud forest. It has been found under leaf litter close to streams.