Amuzga Salamander

Pseudoeurycea amuzga is a medium sized salamander with a robust body. The head is wide with nasolabial protuberances that are especially well developed in males. The feet are stout and short and the toes are wide from the base to the ends; the tail is relatively large and slightly compressed. Proportionately, the toes are about the same size (length) as those in Pseudoeurycea teotepec, but P. teotepec does not have pronounced nasolabial protuberances and has slightly thinner toes. When comparing P. amuzga to other closely related pseudoeurycea, P.amuzga has short stout legs and thick toes and the other species, P. ahuitzotl, P. mixcoatl, P. tenchalli, and P. tlahcuiloh, have medium to long legs and thinner toes. The dorsal coloration is generally dark gray with blue tones; the intercostal grooves are slightly more dark than the superficial dorsal and ventral areas. The belly is a little lighter in coloration than the dorsal area. In the posterior medial part of the belly there are light irregularly spaced marks that reach the ventral part of the tail. The ventral side of the head is also slightly lighter than the ventral side; in the gular fold area, a light band stands out. The feet are reddish brown, and are darker on their dorsal side. Females are lighter in coloration than males. This description was translated from Perez-Ramos and Saldana (2000).

This salamander is found in only one isolated location, at Pico del Aguila, in the extreme eastern part of the Sierra Madre del Sur Mountains in the state of Guerrero, Mexico. Sub-populations have been found at the site between 1645-1740 m elevation.

Very little is known about this salamander (Perez-Ramos and Saldana 2000).

Because this species has such a limited range, all efforts should be made to protect the habitat available at Pico del Aguila.

This species was named in honor of the native American Amuzgo people, who live close to the area where this salamander occurs.

Pseudoeurycea amuzga, which has been given the common name of Sierra de Malinaltepec salamander, is a species of salamander in the family Plethodontidae. It is endemic to Mexico and known only from Sierra de Malinaltepec, a part of Sierra Madre del Sur in the Guerrero state.

Its natural habitats are mixed montane forests at elevations of 1,645–1,740 m (5,397–5,709 ft) above sea level. It has been found under rocks, in holes, and under the bark of trees. It is threatened by habitat loss caused by small-scale farming and wood extraction.