''Nototriton saslaya'' is a species of salamander in the family Plethodontidae. It is endemic to Nicaragua and known only from Cerro Sasalya (its eponymous type locality) and Cerro El Torro, both in the Saslaya National Park, north-central Nicaragua. Common name Saslaya moss salamander has been proposed for it.

Description

Adult males, based on a single specimen, measure about , and adult females measure in

snout–vent length Snout–vent length (SVL) is a morphometric measurement taken in herpetology from the tip of the snout to the most posterior opening of the cloacal slit (vent)."direct line distance from tip of snout to posterior margin of vent" It is the most c ...

. The head is relatively large and clearly distinct from the trunk. The parotoid glands are well-developed and prominent. The snout is rounded. The eyes are moderately protuberant. The tail is slightly constricted at its base and tapering to a pointed tip. The limbs are slender and relatively long. The digits are well-differentiated and have some webbing. Dorsal coloration is brown with dark gray chevron markings and fine yellow-green mottling. The head is darker than the trunk. Ventral parts are brown with lighter speckling.

Habitat and conservation

''Nototriton saslaya'' occurs in lower montane forest and cloud forest at elevations of

above sea level Height above mean sea level is a measure of the vertical distance (height, elevation or altitude) of a location in reference to a historic mean sea level taken as a vertical datum. In geodesy, it is formalized as ''orthometric heights''. The comb ...

. It is an arboreal species often found hiding in thick moss. Development is direct (i.e., there is no free-living larval stage); therefore, its reproduction does not depend on aquatic habitats. ''Nototriton saslaya'' is relatively common within its small known range. However, habitat loss and fragmentation are taking place within its range, and its population is suspected to be decreasing. Although its range is within a protected area, improvement management of the area would be needed.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q2211520 saslaya Endemic fauna of Nicaragua Amphibians of Nicaragua Amphibians described in 2002 Taxa named by Gunther Köhler Taxonomy articles created by Polbot