bolitoglossine

amphibian

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 22, 2026

Quick Summary

The term "bolitoglossine" refers to a group within the family Plethodontidae, commonly known as lungless salamanders. These amphibians are characterized by their lack of lungs, relying instead on cutaneous respiration, meaning they absorb oxygen through their moist skin and the mucous membranes in their mouths and throats.1

Bolitoglossines are a highly successful group, particularly in tropical environments, and are found from Mexico down to Brazil and Bolivia. They inhabit a wide range of habitats, including deserts, alpine areas, tropical rainforests, and cloud forests. These salamanders possess a unique sensory system involving nasolabial grooves that help them detect odors for navigation, finding food, and social interactions. Their diet consists mainly of small invertebrates.231

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

4 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Caudata
Bones and cartilage
Species such as the bolitoglossine plethodontids that display tongue protrusion often have flexible, cartilaginous tongue skeletons. In larvae and permanently gilled species the tongue is not developed.
Read More
Species such as the bolitoglossine plethodontids that display tongue protrusion often have flexible, cartilaginous tongue skeletons. In larvae and permanently gilled species the tongue is not developed.
Read More

Caudata
Distribution and abundance
One group of plethodontids, the bolitoglossines, occupies a wide variety of tropical habitats in the New World—from northern Mexico to southern Brazil and central Bolivia—and contains nearly half of all recognized species of salamanders, which is an indication that the plethodontids have been extremely successful in the tropical environment. Other…
Read More
One group of plethodontids, the bolitoglossines, occupies a wide variety of tropical habitats in the New World—from northern Mexico to southern Brazil and central Bolivia—and contains nearly half of all recognized species of salamanders, which is an indication that the plethodontids have been extremely successful in the tropical environment. Other…
Read More