Oedipina

The genus Oedipina belongs to the family Plethodontidae, commonly known as lungless salamanders. These amphibians are unique because they lack lungs and rely entirely on cutaneous respiration, meaning they absorb oxygen through their moist skin and the mucous membranes in their mouth and throat.1

Lungless salamanders are the largest group of salamanders, with most species found in the Americas. They possess specialized nasolabial grooves that help them detect scents for locating food and social interactions. While many salamanders have aquatic larval stages, most Oedipina species, like other plethodontids, undergo direct development, hatching as miniature adults. They are characterized by a long tail, with some species having over 100 caudal vertebrae.123