| Species ID | 020050 |
| Name | Galliwasp |
| Other Common Names | Rufescent salamander |
| Category | 02 Amphibians |
| Phylum | |
| Subphylum | |
| Class | Amphibia |
| Subclass | |
| Suborder | |
| Family | Plethodontidae |
| Genus | Bolitoglossa |
| Species | rufescens |
| Subspecies | |
| References | 3 |
3* Bolitoglossa rufescens is very similar morphologically to B. occidentalis, which occurs primarily on the Pacific slope from Oaxaca to Honduras, but differs in lacking maxillary teeth. Although D. B. Wake and Lynch (1976:19) expressed doubt that the two forms are separate species, A. Larson (1983) documented substantial molecular divergence among the various populations assigned to B. rufescens and B. occidentalis, and suggested that several cryptic species may be involved, a view shared by D. B. Wake (pers. comm.)
| DISTRICT | References |
| Cayo, Belize | 1 |
| Corozal, Belize | 1 |
| Stann Creek, Belize | 1 |
| Toledo, Belize | 2 |
| Administrative Unit | Occurrence | Abundance | Temporal | References |
| Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary | ||||
| Private land, see comments | 2 | |||
| Shipstern Nature Reserve | 1 | |||
| Caracol Archaeological Reserve | 1 | |||
| Bladen Nature Reserve | 1 | |||
| Columbia River Forest Reserve | 1 | |||
| Deep River Forest Reserve | 1 |
| QUAD Distribution | References |
| 16 45' to 17 00'; 88 15' to 88 30' | 1 |
| 16 45' to 17 00'; 89 00' to 89 15' | 2 |
| 16 15' to 16 30'; 89 00' to 89 15' | 1 |
| 16 30' to 16 45'; 88 45' to 89 00' | 1 |
| 16 15' to 16 30'; 88 30' to 88 45' | 1 |
| 18 00' to 18 15'; 88 30' to 88 45' | 1 |
| 16 00' to 16 15'; 89 00' to 89 15' | 1 |
Comments on Distribution
2* Blue Creek (Toledo) 3* Occurs in southern Belize.
| References/Lifestage | Reference Numbers |
| References/Lifestage | Reference Numbers |
Life History Narrative
Stuart (1948:20) characterized B. rufescens as the most abundant and widespread salamander in Alta Verapaz, but in the Yucatan Peninsula it is an uncommon inhabitant of lowland and premontane forests. It is nocturnal and largely arboreal. In Mexico, H. M. Smith (1941e:37) found B. rufescens to be a common inhabitant of bromeliads, and in Guatemala, Stuart (1948:20) found it only in the leaf axils of bromeliads and bananas, as did Schmidt (1936:151). Feder et al. (1982:3) reported a range of body temperatures of 17.0 to 27.6øC for specimens found in banana plants in Veracruz. Bolitoglossa rufescens exhibits an antipreditor defensive behavior involving elevation and undulation of the tail. As with many other species, this salamander is capable of caudal autotomy, but the tail is unusually delicate and easily lost in this species (Ducey, et al. 1993:346). Nothing is known of reproduction in this species. It is presumably oviparous, with direct development, like the other members of its genus.
Life History References
3
| References/Result | Reference Numbers |
1 Meerman, J., 1994. Summary of Herpetofauna Distributions in Belize. Report to National Protected Areas Management Project. 2 McCoy, C. J. 1990. Additions to the Herpetofauna of Belize, Central America. Caribbean Journal of Science. 26 (3-4):164-166. 3 Lee, Julian C. 1996. The Amphibians and Reptiles of the Yucatan Peninsula. Comstock Publishing Associates. Ithaca, New York.