Several cases of pigmentary abnormalities have been documented in salamanders. These abnormalities can be partial or total and are derived from the absence or excess of pigmentation produced by chromatophores (pigment cells). Here, we present the first record of melanism in the salamander Bolitoglossa rufescens, from Veracruz, Mexico, being this the second case of abnormal pigmentation in the genus Bolitoglossa.Asociación Herpetológica Argentin

Campos-Cerón, Monserrath

Fuentes-Moreno, Axel

Vásquez Cruz, Víctor

Cuadernos de Herpetología

English

SEDICI - Repositorio de la UNLP

Nota
99
Author for correspondence: victorbiolvc@gmail.com
First report of melanism in the salamander Bolitoglossa 
rufescens (Caudata: Plethodontidae) in Veracruz, México
Víctor Vásquez-Cruz1, Axel Fuentes-Moreno2, Monserrath Campos-Cerón3
1 PIMVS Herpetario Palancoatl, Avenida 19 número 5525, Colonia Nueva Esperanza, C.P. 94540, Córdoba, 
Veracruz, México.
2 Colegio de Postgraduados, Campus Montecillo. Carretera México-Texcoco km 36.5, Montecillo, C.P. 56230, 
Texcoco, Estado de México, México.
3 Escuela Secundaria General No. 2, Vía Muerta S/N, Colonia El Morro, C.P. 94293, Boca del Río, Veracruz, 
México.
Cuad. herpetol. 34(1): 99-101 (2020)
The color we perceive from animals is influenced 
by the spatial distribution of chromatophores (pig-
ment cells), the amount and type of pigment they 
contain, as well as the reflection of light on them 
(Rivera et al., 2001). There are different pigment 
cells: melanophores (black-brown), xanthophores 
(yellow), cyanophores (blue), erythrophores (red), 
and leukophores (white) (Fernández Guiberteau et 
al., 2012). Several cases of pigmentary abnormalities 
have been reported in the herpetological literature, 
either extensive (e.g. William et al., 2018; MacKnight 
and Burrow, 2019) or partially affecting pigmented 
areas of the body (e.g. Aguilar-López et al., 2017; 
Hughes et al., 2019) and remains a topic of interest 
for herpetologists and herpetoculturists (Lunghi et 
al., 2017).
In salamanders, the most frequent abnorma-
lities involve diminished pigmentation, correspon-
ding for instance to cases of albinism and leucism 
(Lunghi et al., 2017), in which individuals are 
characterized by presenting a white or pale color. 
On the other hand, reports of individuals with 
higher amount of pigmentation than in typical or 
normal individuals are also rare (Jablonski et al., 
2014; Lunghi et al., 2017). Although some species 
of salamanders naturally present dark pigmentation 
or melanism (dominance of melanophores; e.g. 
Bolitoglossa tenebrosa, Isthmura corrugata), there 
are a limited number of cases of aberrant melanism 
(when the pigmented cells are more abundant than 
in normal individuals) reported in these amphibians, 
for example in Salamandra salamandra, Triturus 
marmoratus, Calotriton asper, Euproctus montanus, 
Lissotriton boscai, Speleomantes imperialis and S. 
flavus (Manenti, 2006; Rivera et al., 2001; Bermejo 
and Otero, 2012; Lunghi et al., 2017).
In this paper we present the first report of 
melanism in the Northern Banana Salamander, 
Bolitoglossa rufescens (Cope, 1869). On November 
2, 2019, around 18:00 h we observed an adult indi-
vidual of B. rufescens (snout-vent length: 28 mm; 
total length: 51 mm) that was perched on a wall at 
about 0.5 m from the ground (Fig. 1 A, B), in the 
backyard of a house at the municipality of Fortín 
de las Flores, in the region known as the “Altas 
Montañas” in west-central Veracruz state, Mexico 
(18°54’27.3”N, 96°57’39.8”W, 950 m a.s.l.). Noticing 
an unusual appearance of the salamander, we cap-
tured it to see if its particular dark color remained 
the next day, once removed from the encounter site. 
On the morning of November 3, we photographed 
the individual exposed to daylight (Fig. 1 C, D) and 
Recibida:  1 3  Nov i e mbre  2 0 1 9
Revisada:  2 0  E n e r o  2 0 2 0
Aceptada:  2 1  E n e r o  2 0 2 0
Editor  Asociado:  C.  B or te iro
doi:  10.31017/CdH.2020.(2019-048)
ABSTRACT
Several cases of pigmentary abnormalities have been documented in salamanders. These ab-
normalities can be partial or total and are derived from the absence or excess of pigmentation 
produced by chromatophores (pigment cells). Here, we present the first record of melanism 
in the salamander Bolitoglossa rufescens, from Veracruz, Mexico, being this the second case of 
abnormal pigmentation in the genus Bolitoglossa.
Key Words: Amphibians, Chromatophores, Pigmentary abnormalities.
100
Vásquez-Cruz et al.  - Melanism in Bolitoglossa rufescens
afterwards released it at the same place of collection. 
The individual presented a uniform dark pigmenta-
tion with small light spots distributed throughout the 
body. During day, the individual maintained its black 
pigmentation, and only the dorsal (still notoriously 
dark) showed a slightly dark brown hue (Fig. 1D). 
This coloration differs from the dark brown pattern 
on the belly and sides, and light brown to reddish 
back of normal individuals (Fig. 2). We deposited a 
photograph of the studied specimen in the photo-
graphic collection of the Natural History Museum 
of Los Angeles (LACM PC 2482).
Our observation represents the first report of 
melanism in Bolitoglossa rufescens. It should be noted 
that, during field-work in the last nine years at the 
“Altas Montañas” region, no other individuals of this 
species have been observed presenting any type of 
conspicuous pigmentary abnormalities (Vásquez-
Cruz obs. pers.). Previously, Ruiz-Villanueva et al. 
(2018) reported leucism in Bolitoglossa engelhardti 
salamander in Guatemala. Therefore, our obser-
vation represents the second case of pigmentary 
abnormality in Bolitoglossa, as well as the first case 
of melanism in this genus.
Figure 1. Adult of Bolitoglossa rufescens with melanism, from Fortín de las Flores, Veracruz, Mexico.
Figure 2. Adults of Bolitoglossa rufescens with typical color 
patterns of light brown (A) and dark brown tones (B), both 
observed in the “Altas Montañas” region from central-western 
Veracruz, Mexico.
101
Cuad. herpetol. 34 (1): 99-101 (2020)
Acknowledgements
To Luis Canseco-Márquez for the taxonomic identi-
fication of the melanistic individual of B. rufescens, 
to Arleth Reynoso-Martínez for providing us the 
photograph 2B and to Neftalí Camacho (LACM) 
for cataloging the photographs. To two anonymous 
reviewers for their valuable recommendation.
Literature cited
Aguilar-López, J.L.; Sandoval-Comte, A.; Pineda, E. & Vázquez-
Corzas, F.G. 2017. Rheohyla miotympanum (Small-eared 
treefrog). Abnormal coloration. Herpetological Review 48: 
169-170.
Bermejo, A. & Otero, R. 2012. Dos casos de melanismo en 
Lissotriton boscai en Zamora. Boletín de la Asociación 
Herpetológica Española 23: 41-43.
Fernández Guiberteau, D.; Vázquez Graña, R. & Eiras López, 
J. 2012. Variabilidad de patrones y pigmentación en 
Salamandra salamandra gallaica Seoane, 1884. Butlletí de 
la Societat Catalana d’Herpetologia 20: 115-120.
Hughes, D.F.; García-Bañuelos, P.; Guevara, R. & Meshak A, W.E 
JR. 2019. Lithobates clamitans (Green frog). Partial leucism. 
Herpetological Review 50: 115.
Jablonski, D.; Alena, A.; Vlcek, P. & Jandzik, D. 2014. Axanthism 
in amphibians: a review and the first record in the 
widespread toad of the Bufotes viridis complex (Anura: 
Bufonidae). Belgian Journal of Zoology 144: 93-101.
Lunghi, E.; Ficetola, G.F.; Barzaghi, B.; Vitillo, C.; Mulargia, M. 
& Manenti, R. 2017. Melanism in European plethodontid 
salamanders (Amphibia, Plethodontidae, Hydromantes). 
Spixiana 40: 157-160.
MacKnight, M. & Burrow, A.K. 2019. Pseudacris ornata (Ornate 
Chorus Frog). Albinism. Herpetological Review 50: 549-550.
Manenti, R. 2006. Un cas de mélanisme chez Euproctus 
montanus (Savi, 1838). Bulletin de la Société Herpétologique 
de France 117: 65-66.
Rivera, X.; Arribas, O. & Martí, F. 2001. Revisión de anomalías 
pigmentarias en los anfibios de la Península Ibérica y de 
Europa. Butlletí de la Societat Catalana d’Herpetologia 15: 
59-75.
Ruiz-Villanueva, K.; Piedrasanta-López, J. & Ariano-Sánchez, 
D. 2018. Leucism in Bolitoglossa engelhardti (Caudata: 
Plethodontidae), with notes on elevational distribution. 
Mesoamerican Herpetology 5: 193-195.
William H, H.; Belnap, D.L.; Durso, A.M. & Neuman-Lee, 
L.A. 2018. Thamnophis elegans vagrans (Wandering 
Gartersnake). Melanistic coloration. Herpetological Review 
49: 141.
© 2020 por los autores, licencia otorgada a la Asociación Herpetológica Argentina. 
Este artículo es de acceso abierto y distribuido bajo los términos y condiciones de 
una licencia Atribución-No Comercial 2.5 Argentina de Creative Commons. Para ver 
una copia de esta licencia, visite http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ar/



First report of melanism in the salamander Bolitoglossa rufescens (Caudata: Plethodontidae) in Veracruz, México

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Nota99Author for correspondence: victorbiolvc@gmail.comFirst report of melanism in the salamander Bolitoglossa rufescens (Caudata: Plethodontidae) in Veracruz, MéxicoVíctor Vásquez-Cruz1, Axel Fuentes-Moreno2, Monserrath Campos-Cerón31 PIMVS Herpetario Palancoatl, Avenida 19 número 5525, Colonia Nueva Esperanza, C.P. 94540, Córdoba, Veracruz, México.2 Colegio de Postgraduados, Campus Montecillo. Carretera México-Texcoco km 36.5, Montecillo, C.P. 56230, Texcoco, Estado de México, México.3 Escuela Secundaria General No. 2, Vía Muerta S/N, Colonia El Morro, C.P. 94293, Boca del Río, Veracruz, México.Cuad. herpetol. 34(1): 99-101 (2020)The color we perceive from animals is influenced by the spatial distribution of chromatophores (pig-ment cells), the amount and type of pigment they contain, as well as the reflection of light on them (Rivera et al., 2001). There are different pigment cells: melanophores (black-brown), xanthophores (yellow), cyanophores (blue), erythrophores (red), and leukophores (white) (Fernández Guiberteau et al., 2012). Several cases of pigmentary abnormalities have been reported in the herpetological literature, either extensive (e.g. William et al., 2018; MacKnight and Burrow, 2019) or partially affecting pigmented areas of the body (e.g. Aguilar-López et al., 2017; Hughes et al., 2019) and remains a topic of interest for herpetologists and herpetoculturists (Lunghi et al., 2017).In salamanders, the most frequent abnorma-lities involve diminished pigmentation, correspon-ding for instance to cases of albinism and leucism (Lunghi et al., 2017), in which individuals are characterized by presenting a white or pale color. On the other hand, reports of individuals with higher amount of pigmentation than in typical or normal individuals are also rare (Jablonski et al., 2014; Lunghi et al., 2017). Although some species of salamanders naturally present dark pigmentation or melanism (dominance of melanophores; e.g. Bolitoglossa tenebrosa, Isthmura corrugata), there are a limited number of cases of aberrant melanism (when the pigmented cells are more abundant than in normal individuals) reported in these amphibians, for example in Salamandra salamandra, Triturus marmoratus, Calotriton asper, Euproctus montanus, Lissotriton boscai, Speleomantes imperialis and S. flavus (Manenti, 2006; Rivera et al., 2001; Bermejo and Otero, 2012; Lunghi et al., 2017).In this paper we present the first report of melanism in the Northern Banana Salamander, Bolitoglossa rufescens (Cope, 1869). On November 2, 2019, around 18:00 h we observed an adult indi-vidual of B. rufescens (snout-vent length: 28 mm; total length: 51 mm) that was perched on a wall at about 0.5 m from the ground (Fig. 1 A, B), in the backyard of a house at the municipality of Fortín de las Flores, in the region known as the “Altas Montañas” in west-central Veracruz state, Mexico (18°54’27.3”N, 96°57’39.8”W, 950 m a.s.l.). Noticing an unusual appearance of the salamander, we cap-tured it to see if its particular dark color remained the next day, once removed from the encounter site. On the morning of November 3, we photographed the individual exposed to daylight (Fig. 1 C, D) and Recibida:  1 3  Nov i e mbre  2 0 1 9Revisada:  2 0  E n e r o  2 0 2 0Aceptada:  2 1  E n e r o  2 0 2 0Editor  Asociado:  C.  B or te irodoi:  10.31017/CdH.2020.(2019-048)ABSTRACTSeveral cases of pigmentary abnormalities have been documented in salamanders. These ab-normalities can be partial or total and are derived from the absence or excess of pigmentation produced by chromatophores (pigment cells). Here, we present the first record of melanism in the salamander Bolitoglossa rufescens, from Veracruz, Mexico, being this the second case of abnormal pigmentation in the genus Bolitoglossa.Key Words: Amphibians, Chromatophores, Pigmentary abnormalities.100Vásquez-Cruz et al.  - Melanism in Bolitoglossa rufescensafterwards released it at the same place of collection. The individual presented a uniform dark pigmenta-tion with small light spots distributed throughout the body. During day, the individual maintained its black pigmentation, and only the dorsal (still notoriously dark) showed a slightly dark brown hue (Fig. 1D). This coloration differs from the dark brown pattern on the belly and sides, and light brown to reddish back of normal individuals (Fig. 2). We deposited a photograph of the studied specimen in the photo-graphic collection of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles (LACM PC 2482).Our observation represents the first report of melanism in Bolitoglossa rufescens. It should be noted that, during field-work in the last nine years at the “Altas Montañas” region, no other individuals of this species have been observed presenting any type of conspicuous pigmentary abnormalities (Vásquez-Cruz obs. pers.). Previously, Ruiz-Villanueva et al. (2018) reported leucism in Bolitoglossa engelhardti salamander in Guatemala. Therefore, our obser-vation represents the second case of pigmentary abnormality in Bolitoglossa, as well as the first case of melanism in this genus.Figure 1. Adult of Bolitoglossa rufescens with melanism, from Fortín de las Flores, Veracruz, Mexico.Figure 2. Adults of Bolitoglossa rufescens with typical color patterns of light brown (A) and dark brown tones (B), both observed in the “Altas Montañas” region from central-western Veracruz, Mexico.101Cuad. herpetol. 34 (1): 99-101 (2020)AcknowledgementsTo Luis Canseco-Márquez for the taxonomic identi-fication of the melanistic individual of B. rufescens, to Arleth Reynoso-Martínez for providing us the photograph 2B and to Neftalí Camacho (LACM) for cataloging the photographs. To two anonymous reviewers for their valuable recommendation.Literature citedAguilar-López, J.L.; Sandoval-Comte, A.; Pineda, E. & Vázquez-Corzas, F.G. 2017. Rheohyla miotympanum (Small-eared treefrog). Abnormal coloration. Herpetological Review 48: 169-170.Bermejo, A. & Otero, R. 2012. Dos casos de melanismo en Lissotriton boscai en Zamora. Boletín de la Asociación Herpetológica Española 23: 41-43.Fernández Guiberteau, D.; Vázquez Graña, R. & Eiras López, J. 2012. Variabilidad de patrones y pigmentación en Salamandra salamandra gallaica Seoane, 1884. Butlletí de la Societat Catalana d’Herpetologia 20: 115-120.Hughes, D.F.; García-Bañuelos, P.; Guevara, R. & Meshak A, W.E JR. 2019. Lithobates clamitans (Green frog). Partial leucism. Herpetological Review 50: 115.Jablonski, D.; Alena, A.; Vlcek, P. & Jandzik, D. 2014. Axanthism in amphibians: a review and the first record in the widespread toad of the Bufotes viridis complex (Anura: Bufonidae). Belgian Journal of Zoology 144: 93-101.Lunghi, E.; Ficetola, G.F.; Barzaghi, B.; Vitillo, C.; Mulargia, M. & Manenti, R. 2017. Melanism in European plethodontid salamanders (Amphibia, Plethodontidae, Hydromantes). Spixiana 40: 157-160.MacKnight, M. & Burrow, A.K. 2019. Pseudacris ornata (Ornate Chorus Frog). Albinism. Herpetological Review 50: 549-550.Manenti, R. 2006. Un cas de mélanisme chez Euproctus montanus (Savi, 1838). Bulletin de la Société Herpétologique de France 117: 65-66.Rivera, X.; Arribas, O. & Martí, F. 2001. Revisión de anomalías pigmentarias en los anfibios de la Península Ibérica y de Europa. Butlletí de la Societat Catalana d’Herpetologia 15: 59-75.Ruiz-Villanueva, K.; Piedrasanta-López, J. & Ariano-Sánchez, D. 2018. Leucism in Bolitoglossa engelhardti (Caudata: Plethodontidae), with notes on elevational distribution. Mesoamerican Herpetology 5: 193-195.William H, H.; Belnap, D.L.; Durso, A.M. & Neuman-Lee, L.A. 2018. Thamnophis elegans vagrans (Wandering Gartersnake). Melanistic coloration. Herpetological Review 49: 141.© 2020 por los autores, licencia otorgada a la Asociación Herpetológica Argentina. Este artículo es de acceso abierto y distribuido bajo los términos y condiciones de una licencia Atribución-No Comercial 2.5 Argentina de Creative Commons. Para ver una copia de esta licencia, visite http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ar/

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First report of melanism in the salamander Bolitoglossa rufescens (Caudata: Plethodontidae) in Veracruz, México

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