TSH Postilla Number 231 17 May 2004 Notes on a Collection of Amphibians and Reptiles from El Salvador Twan A. A. M. Leenders Gregory J. Watkins-Colwell SNNTHSON ALY DEC 0 1 2004 LIBRARIES Peabody Museum of Natural History « Yale University - New Haven, Connecticut Postilla Number 231 Notes on a Collection of Amphibians and Reptiles from El Salvador Twan A. A. M. Leenders and Gregory J. Watkins-Colwell Curatorial Editor-in-Chief Jacques Gauthier Executive Editor Lawrence E. Gall Publications Editor Rosemary Volpe Publications Assistant Joyce Gherlone Published at irregular but frequent intervals since 1950, Postilla presents short papers based on orig- inal scientific research by Museum staff and research associates, and their colleagues, in the natural science disciplines represented by the collections of the Yale Peabody Museum’s curatorial divisions. 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Box 208118 Fax: (203) 432-5872 New Haven, CT 06520-8118 USA E-mail: peabody.publications@yale.edu Copyright © 2004 Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale University. All rights reserved. No part of this book, except brief quotations by reviewers, may be used or reproduced in any form or media, electronic or mechanical (including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system), without the written permission of the Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.A. ISSN 0079-4295 ISBN 0-912532-68-8 Printed in the U.S.A. This paper meets the requirements of ANSI/NISO Z39.48-1992 (Permanence of Paper). Notes on a Collection of Amphibians and Reptiles from El Salvador Twan A. A. M. Leenders Curatorial Affiliate in Vertebrate Zoology Peabody Museum of Natural History Yale University Gregory J. Watkins-Colwell Division of Vertebrate Zoology Peabody Museum of Natural History Yale University (Received 8 January 2004; revised and accepted 14 April 2004) Abstract We report here on recent collections of amphibians and reptiles from El Salvador, in western Central America. More than 600 specimens of amphibians and reptiles were collected on field trips during 2001 and 2002, representing 51 species: one salaman- der, 11 anurans, 22 lizards, and 17 snakes. One lizard, Mesoscincus managuae (Sauria: Scincidae) is a new national record. Con- servation needs and activities in the coun- try are also discussed. Keywords E] Salvador, Central America, herpeto- fauna, biogeography, Amphibia, Reptilia. Introduction The amphibians and reptiles of El Salvador have remained largely unstudied during the 5 decades since Mertens’ work in the 1950s (see review by Kohler 1996). In part, this is because the herpetofauna of El Sal- Postilla 231 - 17 May 2004 vador is depauperate; many of the species occur generally throughout the arid Pacific zones of Central America and have been studied to some extent in neighboring countries (Sasa and Solérzano 1995). This lack of baseline biodiversity data for a well-known vertebrate group exemplifies the challenges facing attempts to under- stand and preserve the biota of El Sal- vador. E] Salvador lies on the Pacific coast of Central America, between Guatemala and Honduras (Figure 1), and is the smallest and most densely populated country in the region, with an expanding human population approaching 300 people per square kilometer. El Salvador is dotted with volcanoes, and its fertile volcanic soil has given rise to widespread agricultural activity. The country is thought to have been completely forested up until the time of European contact in the 16th century. However, most of the native flora was de- stroyed before it could be studied by botanists (Harcourt and others 1996), and the fauna is in a comparable situation. © 2004 Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale University Postilla 231 Notes on a Collection of Amphibians and Reptiles from El Salvador Table 1. Gazetteer. Numbers correspond to collecting sites in Figure 1. Ahuachapan: Municipio San Fransisco Menendez: Canton Escoroso: Parque Nacional El Impossible, Sector La Fincona; 780 m elevation (lat 13.847°N, long 89.981°W). Ahuachapan: Municipio San Fransisco Menendez: Canton Escoroso: Parque Nacional El Impossible, Sector San Benito; 800 m elevation (lat 13.823°N, long 89.943°W). Ahuachapan: Municipio San Pedro Puxtla: Canton La Concepcion: Cooperativa Concepcion Miramar; 950 m elevation (lat 13.810°N long 89.807°W). Chalatenango: Municipio San Ignacio: Canton Las Pilas: Caserio El Centro: Cerro Las Nubes, SE slope of Cerro El Pital; 2,050 m elevation (lat 14.393°N, long 89.105°W). La Libertad: Municipio La Libertad: 2 km south of Zaragoza: Rio San Antonio; 740 m elevation (lat 13.552°N, long 89.288°W). La Libertad: Municipio La Libertad: Ciudad Merliot: Colonia: Jardines del Volcan, on slope of Volcan El Boquer6n; 900 m elevation (lat 13.76°N, long 89.35°W). La Paz: Municipio Zacatecoluca: Finca La Esmeralda, 3 km east of Zacatecoluca; 115 m elevation (lat 13.483°N, long 88.850°W). Morazan: Municipio Arambala: Canton Joya el Matazano: Caserio Los Cimientos, 1.5 km SE of Cerro Cacahuatique; 1,010 m elevation (lat 13.767°N, long 88.200°W). Morazan: Municipio Arambala: Canton Cumaro: Bailadero del Diablo; 696 m elevation (lat 13.931°N, long 88.102°W). . Morazan: Municipio Arambala: Canton Cumaro: Nahuaterique, near border crossing with Honduras; 1,389 m elevation (lat 13.995°N, long 88.093°W). . Morazan: Municipio Arambala: Canton Cumaro: Rio Negro; 1,034 m elevation (lat 13.977°N, long 88.129°W). . Morazan: Municipio Arambala: Canton Cumaro: Rio Sapo; 1,118 m elevation (lat 13.959°N, long 88.132°W). . San Miguel: Canton El Volcan: N slope of Volcan San Miguel, Finca Santa Isabel; 800 m elevation (lat 13.468°N, long 88.267°W). . San Salvador: Municipio Mejicanos: Canton Zacamil: Residencial Metropolis Norte; 740 m elevation. (lat 13.85°N, long 89.13°W). . San Salvador: Municipio San Salvador: Colonia Costa Rica: Parque Zooldgico Nacional; 700 m elevation (lat 13.73°N, long 89.09°W). . San Salvador: Municipio San Salvador: Colonia Campestre, Pasaje Los Andes 2; 882 m elevation (lat 13.702°N, long 89.250°W). . Santa Ana: Municipio Metapan: Canton Tecomapa: N side of Lago de Giiija; 425 m elevation (lat 14.30°N, long 89.50°W). . Santa Ana: Municipio Metapan: E side of Volcan San Diego: Area Protegida San Diego y La Barra; 450 m elevation (lat 14.262°N, long 89.470°W). . Santa Ana: Municipio Metapan: Canton Metapan: Parque Nacional Montecristo; 1,904 m elevation (lat 14.401°N, long 89.362°W). . Santa Ana: Municipio Santa Ana: Canton Los Flores: Parque Nacional Los Andes and Volcan Santa Ana; 1,791 m elevation (lat 13.869°N, long 89.620°W). . Santa Ana: Municipio Metapan: W of Cerro San Diego, on road to Azuacalpa, N side of Lago de Giiija; 445 m elevation. . Sonsonate: Municipio Izalco: Canton Las Lajas: Bosque Las Lajas; 750 m elevation (lat 13.829°N, long 89.567°W). . Sonsonate: Municipio Izalco: Canton Cruz Grande: Finca Nuevos Horizontes; 1,250 m elevation (lat 13.821°N, long 89.653°W). Notes on a Collection of Amphibians and Reptiles from El Salvador Cerro Montecristo Montecristoa GUATEMALA de’ a Guia 18 ver” Embatse Cerran Grande Lago de Coatepeque 20 > 2 23 El Imposible oNP, ] 28 ’ Ay i 6 San Salvador, 14,15 Lago de itopango 7? Pacific Ocean 90°00 89°30" 89°00' war El Pital Postilla 231 3 HONDURAS 2 se EL SALVADOR i3 “Bahia de be la Union 88°30' 88°00' Figure 1. Map of El Salvador showing field sites visited during this study. Numbered sites corre- spond to entries in Table 1. Map drawn by Leenders. Most of the land in El Salvador is now dedicated to agriculture, and little native habitat remains. The major crops are cof- fee, cotton, maize and sugar cane (Har- court and others 1996). E] Salvador has distinct rainy and dry seasons. From November through May the lack of rain causes rivers to dry and decid- uous trees to drop their leaves, and strong seasonal trade winds (known locally as “El Norte”) increase desiccation. The rainy sea- son begins in June, and is the primary de- terminant in the reproductive cycles of both plants and animals. The two main habitats found in El Salvador are tropical dry broadleaf forest at low elevations (below about 1,200 m), and tropical moist broadleaf forest at higher elevations (above 1,200 m). Tropical dry broadleaf forest habitats are largely restricted to southern Mexico and the Pacific slope of Central America, and are considered to be in critical condi- tion (Dinerstein and others 1995). Agricul- tural expansion in El Salvador (mostly by slash-and-burn techniques), firewood gathering, and exploitative hunting have made this ecosystem one of the most en- dangered in Central America. In recent years environmental awareness in El Sal- 4 Postilla 231 Notes on a Collection of Amphibians and Reptiles from El Salvador a vador has grown, and the Salvadoran gov- ernment and local nongovernmental orga- nizations have begun to promote conser- vation of the country’s resources and natural areas. Nevertheless, only about 0.8% of the country lies in national parks or wildlife refuges, and only half of this area has been legally declared protected (Rodriguez 1998). In addition, much of the protected areas constitute previously disturbed habitat. In this paper we summarize results of 3 collecting trips to El Salvador for am- phibians and reptiles. Our work is part of a recent, increased interest in the herpeto- fauna of the country (Kohler 1999; Kohler and Kreutz 1999; McCranie and Kohler 1999; Hasbun and others 2001). Because El Salvador’s herpetofauna is of significant biodiversity and economic importance, we hope this paper contributes to ongoing documentation efforts and accelerated con- servation initiatives. Materials and Methods Staff from the Division of Vertebrate Zool- ogy at the Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale University (YPM), made 3 re- search trips to El Salvador during 2001 and 2002 (23 June through 7 July 2001, 16 De- cember through 26 February 2002, and 23 October through 20 November 2002). The 2001 trip was primarily ornithological and included personnel from the Natural His- tory Museum and Biodiversity Research Center of the University of Kansas. On these trips, 663 specimens of amphibians and reptiles (275 reptiles, 87 adult amphib- ians, 296 tadpoles, and 5 egg clumps) were collected, representing 51 species. Herpeto- logical specimens were collected from as many different habitats, locality types, ages and morphologies as possible given the provisions of the permits. Collecting was conducted under Reso- lution 14-05-01 of the Servicio de Parques Nacionales y Vida Silvestre, Direccion Gen- eral de Recursos Naturales Renovables, Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganaderia, and Permits MARN-DGPN-AIMA-8-01, MARN- DGPN-AIMA-01-2002, MARN-DGPN-AIMA- 59-2002, and MARN-DGPN-AIMA-65-2002 from the Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales, San Salvador, El Sal- vador. Transportation was under CITES Permit 02399. Most specimens were fixed in the field with a 10% buffered formalin mixture and transferred to 70% ethanol for storage and shipping. Approximately 45% of adult specimens were preserved in the field with 70% ethanol, rather than formalin, to allow for subsequent skeletal preparations. Larval amphibians were fixed and stored in a 10% buffered formalin solution. Additional notes were taken on individuals that were not collected, and these notes are deposited in the Division of Vertebrate Zoology at the Yale Peabody Museum. Reference is also made to specimens in the Senckenberg Natural History Museum and Research In- stitute (SMF). Measurements of amphibians and small lizards were made using Mitutoyo Digimatic Calipers under a dissection mi- croscope, and recorded to the nearest 0.1 mm; snakes and large lizards were mea- sured with vernier calipers or a measuring tape to the nearest 1.0 mm. Measurements are given for snout to vent length (SVL) and total length (TL). Notes on a Collection of Amphibians and Reptiles from El Salvador AMPHIBIA: CAUDATA FAMILY PLETHODONTIDAE Bolitoglossa cf. conanti McCranie and Wilson 1993 We collected 4 specimens in Parque Na- cional Montecristo. Our specimens match the description given for Parque Nacional Montecristo Bolitoglossa engelhardti (Schmidt 1936) by Mertens (1952). To a lesser extent, our specimens also match the original description of Bolitoglossa conanti McCranie and Wilson 1993. In their review of the Bolitoglossa dunni group, McCranie and Wilson (1993) tentatively assigned ma- terial from Parque Nacional Montecristo to Bolitoglossa conanti, but noted the uncer- tain taxonomic status of this isolated popu- lation. The Bolitoglossa from a nearby peak, Cerro El Pital, has recently been described as a new species (McCranie and Kohler 1999) and this may also be the case with the Parque Nacional Montecristo material (Eli Greenbaum, pers. comm. 2003). As has been noted in other Central Amer- ican Bolitoglossa (Leenders and Watkins-Col- well 2003a), the daytime and nighttime colors differ in these salamanders. The nocturnal color pattern is reminiscent of the banded phase of Bolitoglossa conanti. Specimens collected and sacrificed at night retain this color pattern. The daytime color pattern concurs with the description of Magnadigita engelhardti (SMF 43042; Mertens 1952). At night, the dorsal and lateral color (covering the top half of the costal grooves) is dark slate gray, mottled with dark bronze and black blotches; indistinct darker pig- ment is present in the costal grooves. The ventral and ventrolateral color (to the bot- tom third of costal grooves) is dark salmon Postilla 231 5 orange, and irregular gray speckling creates bright orange spots. The border between the dorsal dark gray and the ventrolateral orange areas (below the center of the costal grooves) is suffused with white speckling. The limbs are dark slate gray, except that the upper surfaces of the front limbs are suffused with white speckling. During the day, the dorsal color is silver gray. Darker gray pigment in the costal grooves form an indistinct spot at the top and bottom of each groove that gives the appearance of 4 longitudinal rows of indis- tinct dark spots. A thin, indistinct dark postocular stripe is present on the sides of the head. The ventral color gradually changes from cream on the chin and throat to salmon orange below the tail. Indistinct orange blotches are also present and a dusting of light gray pigment produces a pattern of lighter spots. One juvenile (YPM 7240) was observed at 21:45 h perched on a leaf of a Peperomia sp. growing on a tree stump at a height of approximately | m above the forest floor. The salamander’s tail was recently auto- tomized and no regeneration is apparent yet. One individual (YPM 7243) was col- lected from the water-filled leaf axil of a Heliconia sp. approximately 30 cm above the ground, and another (YPM 7242) was found curled up in loose humus in the roots of a terrestrial bromeliad growing on the bank of a small drainage ditch (Figure 2a). These salamanders may be arboreal at night, and use terrestrial retreats. Specimens collected: 3 adults (SVL 49.8-60.6 mm), | juvenile (SVL 29.7 mm). Santa Ana: Parque Nacional Montecristo: YPM 7240-7243. Elevation 1,840—1,850 m. 6 Postilla 231 Notes on a Collection of Amphibians and Reptiles from El Salvador AMPHIBIA: ANURA FAMILY BUFONIDAE Bufo coccifer Cope 1866 This widespread, small toad was found in the relatively dry areas of Departamento Morazan, and our specimens agree with the description in Mertens (1952). The presence of a small juvenile at the Bailadero del Diablo site on 8 November 2002 suggests that reproductive activity had taken place during the preceding rainy season. Absence of larvae in known Bufo coccifer habitat (as indicated by the pres- ence of adults) suggest that even drought- tolerant species such as Bufo coccifer may aestivate and not reproduce throughout the year. Specimens collected: 4 adults (SVL 46.8-62.3 mm), | juvenile (SVL 19.2 mm). Morazan: Bailadero del Diablo: YPM 7230; Nahuaterique: YPM 7227-7229; Rio Sapo: YPM 7231. Elevation 755—1,530 m. Bufo marinus Linnaeus 1758 From December through February no breeding activity by this species was de- tected, although in 2 localities calling males were observed in January; no tadpoles or reproductive adults were found in October or November, but juveniles were collected in late June. In Central America, Zug and Zug (1979) reported a bimodal reproduc- tive pattern, with breeding peaks in the dry and rainy seasons, and Lee (1996) sug- gested a protracted, bimodal or continuous breeding pattern. Our observations suggest there is a pause in reproductive activity of Salvadoran Bufo marinus during the dry months of October through February. Sev- eral of the Bufo marinus (such as YPM 6418 and 6425) were parasitized by ticks. Specimens collected: 9 males (SVL 75.0-142.0 mm), 1 female (SVL 151.0 mm), 4 juveniles (SVL 32.0-74.4 mm). Ahuachapan: Parque Nacional El Imposi- ble: YPM 6443; La Libertad: Rio San Anto- nio: YPM 6446-6447; Morazan: Bailadero del Diablo: YPM 7224; Rio Sapo: YPM 7223, 7225-7226; Santa Ana: San Diego y La Barra: YPM 6445; Sonsonate: Bosque Las Lajas: YPM 6417-6418, 6425, 6441-6442, 6444. Sight records: Ahuachapan: Cooperativa Concepcion Miramar (elev. 1,000 m) Son- sonate: Finca Nuevos Horizontes. Elevation 660—1,300 m. FAMILY HYLIDAE AGALYCHNIS MORELETII (DUMERIL 1853) Our Agalychnis closely match the descrip- tion given by Duellman (1970, 2001). Some Salvadoran individuals have clearly demar- cated white spots on the green dorsum; the spots remain visible in preservative. Calling males were observed in January, February, October and November; all had brown, spiny nuptial pads on the inside of the first finger. The single female collected (YPM 6414) contained eggs; several other gravid females were observed in January and Feb- ruary. In addition, tadpoles in various ad- vanced developmental stages (Gosner stages 25 and higher) were observed and collected in January, October and Novem- ber. Metamorph Agalychnis moreletii were found crawling on land on 4 January and 3 Notes on a Collection of Amphibians and Reptiles from El Salvador Postilla 231 7 November. These observations suggest this species reproduces year-round in E] Sal- vador. Agalychnis moreletii is an adaptable species, often found in cultivated areas. Most tadpoles were collected in man-made wells and washbasins for coffee; in less dis- turbed habitat tadpoles were observed in shallow pools formed by streams. The records for Parque Nacional Los Andes represent the highest elevational occur- rence for this species. Specimens collected: 3 adult males (SVL 58.0-62.0 mm), 1 adult female (SVL 75.0 mm), 40 tadpoles and metamorphs. Ahuachapan: Parque Nacional El Imposi- ble: YPM 6414, 6422-6423 (adults), 6457 (3 tadpoles), 7222 (adult), 7286-7289 (34 tadpoles); Santa Ana: Parque Nacional Los Andes: YPM 7249-7264, 7291; Sonsonate: Finca Nuevos Horizontes: YPM 6458 (3 tadpoles). Sight records: Ahuachapan: Cooperativa Concepcion Miramar. Elevation 560—1,795 m. Ptychohyla euthysanota (Kellogg 1923) One adult female was collected at night from epiphytic vegetation approximately 80 cm above the ground. This specimen agrees with the description in Duellman (2001). McCranie and Wilson (2002) men- tion the absence of this species in Hon- duras. The collection site of YPM 7239 is 4 km from the Honduran border. It seems likely that Ptychohyla euthysanota will eventually be found on the Honduran side of Cerro Montecristo. Specimens collected: 1 adult female (SVL 33.1 mm). Santa Ana: Parque Nacional Montecristo: YPM 7239. Elevation 1,840 m. Ptychohyla salvadorensis (Mertens 1952) Adults of this stream-breeding species were observed on 7 November 2002 in Nahua- terique, a remnant pine forest near the Honduran border in Departamento Morazan. Two males (YPM 7235, 7237) were observed calling from vegetation along the banks of a slow-moving rocky stream, and more males were heard but not collected. YPM 7238 and 7236 were found in amplexus in a temporary puddle in a dirt road. Even though the Ptychohyla were apparently sexually active at this time of the year, an extended search of the stream and rain puddles did not reveal any tad- poles. A metamorph (YPM 6456) was col- lected on 28 May 2001, but no tadpoles were observed at the aforementioned col- lecting site. Our observations suggest this species has a seasonal reproductive cycle, with oviposition likely taking place early in the dry season. Specimens collected: 3 males (SVL 30.0-32.8 mm), | female (SVL 36.5 mm), 1 meta- morph (SVL 17.7 mm). Morazan: Cerro Cacahuatique: YPM 6456, Nahuaterique: YPM 7235-7238. Elevation 1,010—1,310 m. Scinax staufferi (Cope 1865) The 49 tadpoles collected have the charac- teristically high xiphicercal tail fin of Scinax larvae. However, the arc of the dorsal tail fin is less pronounced than generally ob- served in Scinax staufferi. The larvae were collected on 7 November 2002 near Rio 8 Postilla 231 Notes on a Collection of Amphibians and Reptiles from El Salvador ee Sapo in an isolated pool of stagnant water remaining from flooding during the rainy season. The Scinax tadpoles were collected along with Rana maculata tadpoles and metamorphs. Specimens collected: 49 tadpoles (in 8 specimen lots). Morazan: Rio Sapo: YPM 7293-7299. Elevation 662 m. Smilisca baudinit (Duméril and Bibron 1841) Smilisca baudinti were observed in the Rio San Antonio locality in late June. During the dry months of December through Feb- ruary only a single individual was col- lected; it was found on vegetation near a lawn that was irrigated daily. The species can be locally common. Specimens collected: 1 male (SVL 53.1 mm), 2 females (SVL 58.7—59.0 mm). La Libertad: Rio San Antonio: YPM 6448-6449; Sonsonate: Bosque Las Lajas: YPM 6424. Elevation 740-750 m. FAMILY LEPTODACTYLIDAE Eleutherodactylus rhodopis (Cope 1867 “1866”) These diminutive leaf litter frogs were commonly seen in the Sierra de Apaneca. During the dry season individuals were in- variably found in dry or drying stream- beds, especially in the leaf litter at the base of dry waterfalls. In such microhabitats densities of Eleutherodactylus rhodopis often approached 7 to 8 individuals per square meter. Individuals were only rarely seen in forested areas surrounding these drying streams, suggesting this species ac- tively congregates in remnant humid areas during the height of the dry season. Lynch (2000) separated Eleutherodacty- lus rhodopis sensu lato into 2 species: Eleutherodactylus rhodopis sensu stricto and Eleutherodactylus loki, with sympatric and allopatric populations of both species scattered across Central America and Mex- ico. A distribution map of the known pop- ulations of both species (Lynch 2000) shows Eleutherodactylus loki occurring in El Salvador, but this publication also states: “The issue of whether there are two species of the rhodopis cluster in Mexico, Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Hon- duras remains to be tested critically.” His decision to assign Salvadoran Eleuthero- dactylus of the rhodopis group to Eleutherodactylus loki was apparently based largely on Guatemalan and Mexican mate- rial, as only a single juvenile female from El Salvador was cited. Lynch’s actions are not universally followed (see Duenas and others 2001), although McCranie and Wil- son (2002) without comment assign Sal- vadoran Eleutherodactylus rhodopis to Eleutherodactylus loki. Further study of Salvadoran material is needed, and for the present we maintain the usage of the se- nior synonym here. Specimens collected: 9 males (SVL 19.4-24.8 mm), 4 females (SVL 25.8-31.4 mm), 1 juvenile (SVL 13.7 mm). Ahuachapan: Cooperativa Concepcién Mi- ramar: YPM 6430-6432; Parque Nacional El Imposible: YPM 6427-6429, 7244-7248; Sonsonate: Finca Nuevos Horizontes: YPM 6415-6416, 6433. Elevation 560—1,200 m. Notes on a Collection of Amphibians and Reptiles from El Salvador Postilla 231 9 Eleutherodactylus rupinius Campbell and Savage 2000 Campbell and Savage (2000) recently re- viewed the rugulosus group of Middle American Eleutherodactylus and assigned Salvadoran individuals to Eleutherodactylus rupinius. YPM 6419 was discovered under a large . rock at the edge of the rapidly flowing Rio Guayapa in Parque Nacional El Imposible, but a concerted search of this seemingly ideal habitat yielded no additional speci- mens. All juvenile specimens were collected from 2 small (about 0.25 m2) stagnant puddles of water in an otherwise dry streambed at the base of the Izalco volcano. Many Eleutherodactylus rhodopis were found in the leaf litter on the dry stream bed surrounding these puddles. No adult Eleutherodactylus rupinius were found in this habitat. Eleutherodactylus rupinius in- variably retreated into the water when ap- proached, whereas Eleutherodactylus rhodopis retreated into the leaf litter. The absence of adult Eleutherodactylus rupinius in apparently suitable habitat with water present suggests that the species aestivates away from its stream side habitat. Specimens collected: 1 adult female (SVL 39.3 mm), 10 juveniles (SVL 15.7—25.7 mm). Ahuachapan: Parque Nacional El Imposible: YPM 6419; Sonsonate: Finca Nuevos Horizontes: YPM 6410-6413, 6434-6439. Elevation 600—1,130 m. Leptodactylus labialis (Cope 1877) Three subadult specimens of this wide- spread species were collected in the Perquin area, Departamento Morazan. All agree with the description in McCranie and Wilson (2002). This species was found during the hottest hours of the day in seep- age and other humid areas in a predomi- nantly dry habitat. Specimens collected: 3 subadults (SVL 15.0-26.5 mm). Morazan: Bailadero del Diablo: YPM 7232; Nahuaterique: YPM 7233; Rio Sapo: YPM 7234. Elevation 680—1,120 m. FAMILY RANIDAE Rana maculata Brocchi 1877 In their monograph on the systematics of the Rana palmipes group, Hillis and De Sa (1988) noted inconsistencies in the litera- ture regarding the breeding habits of Rana maculata. Calling males and tadpoles had been observed year-round in Guatemala (Stuart 1951, 1954), whereas the breeding activity in Nicaragua is thought to be re- stricted to the dry season (Villa 1979). Our observations on Salvadoran populations of Rana maculata are consistent with the Nicaraguan observations, with reproduc- tion apparent during the dry season. At any given time during November through Feb- ruary we collected tadpoles in various Gos- ner stages, observed egg clumps, and heard calling males. This suggests continuous re- production from prior to November through the dry season. We also found eggs and larvae in puddles in drying stream beds and in slow-moving sections of streams. Three males collected in December (YPM 6420-6421, 6450) had black nuptial pads on the inside of the inner finger, indi- 10 Postilla 231 Notes on a Collection of Amphibians and Reptiles from El Salvador cating they were sexually active. Nuptial pads were absent on males collected in late June. Juveniles were collected in late June but were not observed during the dry sea- son. YPM 6420 only has 4 toes on the left foot, with the first toe being intermediate in size to the first and second toe on the right foot. Since there are no visible in- juries to the foot, this deformity was most likely caused during larval development. Specimens collected: 15 adults (SVL 31.4-72.8 mm), 18 lots of larvae or recent metamorphs (totaling 182 individuals), 5 egg clumps. Ahuachapan: Parque Nacional El Imposible: YPM 6420-6421, 6426 (adults), 6440, 6459-6472 (tadpoles). La Libertad: Rio San Antonio: YPM 6450-6455; Morazan: Bailadero del Diablo: YPM 7268, 7270, 7280, 7282, 7303-7312; Nahuaterique: YPM 7271-7275, 7278; Rio Sapo: YPM 7269, 7281, 7301—7302; Santa Ana: Parque Nacional Montecristo: YPM 7265-7267, 7276-7277, 7279. Elevation 470—1,840 m. REPTILIA: SAURIA FAMILY ANGUIDAE Mesaspis moreletii (Bocourt 1871) In this species, the 8 mid-dorsal scale rows are heavily keeled in males and keeled in females. The lateral scales are smooth or weakly keeled. Granular scales occur on the side of head, posterior to the tympanum and in the venterolateral fold. Our speci- mens exhibited sexual dimorphism in color and squamation patterns. Females were uniform brown, with a broad band of (usually 8) rows of moderately keeled dor- sal scales. In males, only the dorsal 8 scale rows were brown and heavily keeled; the sides of the body were heavily spotted with dark pigment, forming a pattern of light and dark lateral cross-bands. In all speci- mens collected, the skin between the gran- ular scales in the axilla and the venterolat- eral skin fold was heavily infested with mites. In some specimens, mites were also found underneath dorsal scales on the pos- terior half of the body. The stomachs of YPM 12482 and YPM 12483 contained large parasitic worms not yet identified to species. Prey items recorded from the gut contents included Orthoptera, Coleoptera, a large larval lepi- dopteran, a fly, and many spiders of vari- ous taxonomic groups. YPM 12475 had a deformed right manus with only one digit, with extensive scar tissue on the hand and foreleg indicating an old wound. Vasa def- erentia of YPM 12482 and YPM 12483 were strongly coiled and white, indicating sexual activity at time of collection (26 June 2001). Specimens collected: 4 adult males (74.0-89.0 mm SVL, AVG 80.5 mm), 1 adult female (SVL 72.2 mm). Chalate- nango: Cerro El Pital: YPM 12475, 12482-12484; Cerro Las Nubes: YPM 12437. Sight records: Santa Ana: Parque Nacional Montecristo. Elevation 2,050—2,480 m. FAMILY GEKKONIDAE Gonatodes albogularis (Duméril and Bibron 1836) YPM 12346 was gravid and contained a single egg; this specimen had an intact tail Notes on a Collection of Amphibians and Reptiles from El Salvador Postilla 231 11 and measured 90.9 mm in total length. YPM 12474 was collected in the National Zoo in San Salvador. Since this species is used as a food item for animals on exhibit, it may have been intentionally or acciden- tally released there. Specimens collected: 3 adult males (SVL 35.6—43.4 mm), | adult female (SVL 43.7 mm), | juvenile (SVL 24.1 mm, TL 52.9 mm). La Paz: Finca La Esmeralda: YPM 12345-12347; San Salvador: Residencial Metropolis Norte: YPM 12473; Parque Zo- ologico Nacional: YPM 12474. Sight records: Santa Ana: Parque Nacional Montecristo. Elevation 115-800 m. Phyllodactylus tuberculosus Wiegmann 1835 The 2 females collected during the dry sea- son (YPM 12320, 12321) each contained 2 oviducal eggs in an advanced stage of de- velopment. The only male examined inter- nally (YPM 12322) had strongly coiled, white vasa deferentia, suggesting it was re- productively active during the dry season. The stomach contents of 3 individuals con- tained remains of a cockroach, several Diptera, and Coleoptera. One gravid fe- male (YPM 12321) had small pebbles in its stomach and intestines. An as yet unidenti- fied parasitic worm was extracted from the gastrointestinal tract of YPM 12320. Specimens collected: 5 males (SVL 57.8—66.8 mm), 6 females (SVL 54.5-66.7 mm). Ahuachapan: Parque Nacional El Im- posible: YPM 12320-12321, 12340-12344, 12421, 14015: Morazan: Rio Sapo: 14013-14014; Sonsonate: Bosque Las Lajas: 12322. Elevation 750-800 m. FAMILY IGUANIDAE: SUBFAMILY CORYTOPHANINAE Basiliscus vittatus Wiegmann 1828 Adults were observed in Parque Nacional El Imposible and Finca La Esmeralda, but the alertness of individuals of this species precluded collection. Adults of this species are commonly hunted and eaten by the local people. Specimens collected: 6 juveniles (SVL 43-62 mm). Ahuachapan: Parque Nacional El Imposible: YPM 12432, 12434; La Paz: Finca La Esmeralda: YPM 12433; Morazan: Rio Sapo: 13996-13998. Sight records: Ahuachapan: Cooperativa Concepcion Miramar (elev. 1,100 m); Santa Ana: Parque Nacional Montecristo, 800 m. Elevation 115—1,100 m. Corytophanes percarinatus Duméril 1856 Corytophanes percarinatus is rarely en- countered in El Salvador, and seems to be restricted to large expanses of relatively undisturbed forest. McCoy (1968) exam- ined a series of Guatemalan specimens collected in various months of the year: 4 females collected in December con- tained oviducal eggs lacking discernible embryos; the eggs measured 14 mm in di- ameter on average. Guatemalan Coryto- phanes percarinatus seem to produce a single clutch per year, with a clutch size of 3 to 10 (average 7.1); the live young are born in May or June. Postilla 231 Notes on a Collection of Amphibians and Reptiles from El Salvador Figure 2. Noteworthy herpetological records. a, Bolitoglossa cf. conanti from Parque Nacional Mon- tecristo, El Salvador (YPM 7242). b, Norops heteropholidotus from Departamento Chiquimula, Guatemala (YPM 1101), first confirmed record of this species for Guatemala. See the text for addi- tional information. Notes on a Collection of Amphibians ostilla 231 and Reptiles from El Salvador eee Figure 3. Variation in dewlap color in Salvadoran Norops. Norops cf. crassulus: a—b, male t I 14028); c, female (YPM 14037). Norops heteropholidotus: d, male (YPM 14044); e, female 14033); f, aberrant female (YPM 14057). See the text for additional information. 14 Postilla 231 Notes on a Collection of Amphibians and Reptiles from El Salvador Specimens collected: 1 adult female (SVL 103 mm, TL 307 mm). Ahuachapan: Par- que Nacional El Imposible: YPM 12452. El- evation 720 m. FAMILY IGUANIDAE: SUBFAMILY IGUANINAE Ctenosaura flavidorsalis (K6hler and Klemmer 1995) Ctenosaura flavidorsalis was commonly en- countered in sparsely populated, arid zones of Departamento Morazan. This species is hunted vigorously by local hunters. Specimens collected: 1 adult male (SVL 134.0 mm, TL 330 mm), | tissue sample from uncollected specimen. Morazan: Bailadero del Diablo: YPM 13008 (adult); Rio Sapo: YPM 13007 (tail tip). Sight records: The tissue sample taken from an autotomized tail tip from an es- caped animal. Elevation 680-1,120 m. Ctenosaura similis (Gray 1831) A single male was collected from a hole in an area used for drying coffee, in a resi- dential area. More were observed in the same locality but were not collected be- cause of the difficulty of approaching the species. This species can be found near human settlements, where it is often hunted for food. Three Ctenosaura similis were observed in the town of San Fran- sisco Menendez and near the visitor center of Parque Nacional El Imposible (Leen- ders 2003). To our knowledge, no records of this species exist yet for Departamento Ahuachapan. Specimens collected: 1 adult male (SVL 279 mm, TL 798 mm). San Miguel: Volcan de San Miguel: YPM 12477. Sight records: Ahuachapan: Parque Na- cional El Imposible; Sonsonate: Bosque Las Lajas. Elevation 730-870 m. Iguana iguana (Linnaeus 1758) This species could be on the decline in El Salvador, presumably because of habitat loss as well as increased hunting pressure brought on by the expanding human pop- ulation. Three juvenile Iguana iguana were observed in Parque Nacional El Imposible (Leenders 2003); according to park rangers this species is locally not uncommon in the protected area. We are not aware of other records of this species from Departamento Ahuachapan, either in the literature or from museum collections. Specimens collected: 1 subadult male (SVL 215 mm). Sonsonate: Bosque Las Lajas: YPM 12451. Sight records: Ahuachapan: Parque Na- cional El Imposible. Elevation 700-800 m. FAMILY IGUANIDAE: SUBFAMILY POLYCHROTINAE Norops cf. crassulus (Cope 1864) This species was commonly seen at middle and high elevations on the Santa Ana vol- cano, in a variety of habitats. As is true in Norops heteropholidotus, adult Norops cf. crassulus show distinct sexual dimorphism in dewlap color (Leenders and Watkins- Colwell 2003b). Adult males have an or- Notes on a Collection of Amphibians and Reptiles from El Salvador Postilla 231 15 ange dewlap with cream gorgetal and mar- ginal scales, whereas females have a small yellow dewlap with cream scales (Figure 3a—c). The cream gorgetal scales also darken in response to stress or environ- mental cues, as in Norops heteropholidotus (Leenders and Watkins-Colwell 2003b). Both Norops crassulus and Norops het- eropholidotus belong to the taxonomically unresolved crassulus group of the beta anoles; the status of the Santa Ana popula- tion of Norops crassulus will be analyzed in a later paper. Specimens collected: 7 males (SVL 33.0—45.8 mm), 5 females (SVL 48.2—50.4 mm ), 5 juveniles (SVL 22.3-25.2 mm). Santa Ana: Parque Nacional Los Andes: YPM 14025-14041. Elevation 1,715—2,390 m. Norops heteropholidotus Mertens 1952 We have previously described the sexual di- morphism in dewlap color in this species and the striking changes in gorgetal scale pigmentation in response to environmental cues (Leenders and Watkins-Colwell 2003b). Female Norops heteropholidotus generally have a small yellow dewlap (Fig- ure 3e), whereas males have a large red dewlap with white gorgetal and marginal scales (Figure 3d). Here we also report an aberrant adult female Norops heteropholi- dotus (YPM 14057) from Parque Nacional Montecristo, with an orange dewlap and cream gorgetal and marginal scales (Figure 3f), which is similar to the dewlap color in the related Norops crassulus. On 16 November 2002, we observed 6 Norops heteropholidotus in Departamento Chiquimula, Guatemala, in an area of cloud forest straddling the borders of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras (see Figure 2b). Three were captured to confirm identification and released at the site after being photographed (because of the lack of a collection permit); photographs of 2 specimens were taken (YPM 1101, 1102). Kohler and McCranie (1998) reported that the distribution of Norops heteropholidotus comprised 2 isolated localities in north- western E] Salvador and 3 in the Departa- mento Ocotepeque, Honduras. Although the individuals observed are undoubtedly part of the population from Parque Na- cional Montecristo, El Salvador, this repre- sents the first documented sighting of Norops heteropholidotus in Guatemala. Specimens collected: 16 males (SVL 31.0-50.0 mm), 5 females (SVL 36.5—53.3 mm), 5 juveniles (SVL 25.1—30.3 mm). Chalatenango: Cerro El Pital: YPM 12479; Cerro Las Nubes: YPM 12379-12385, 12422-12423; Santa Ana: Parque Nacional Montecristo: YPM 14033, 14042-14052, 14054-14057. Elevation 1,840-2,480 m. Photo vouchers: GUATAMALA: Chiquimula: El Trifinio: YPM 1101-1102. Norops macrophallus (Werner 1917) The squamation and morphometric char- acters of Norops macrophallus broadly overlap with those of Norops cupreus, and species diagnosis is based on differences in hemipene morphology and dewlap color of living males (Kéhler and Kreutz 1999). This common lizard was found in mature forest, disturbed habitats and cultivated areas, although a preference for edge-situa- 16 Postilla 231 Notes on a Collection of Amphibians and Reptiles from El Salvador i tions could be noted. During the day, Norops macrophallus were invariably ob- served on or near the ground, usually in leaf litter. Adults frequently occupied slightly elevated and exposed perches such as logs or stilt roots, usually less than 20 cm above the ground, which are used to scan for invertebrate prey. At night, sleep- ing Norops macrophallus were collected on the upper surfaces of leaves, often several meters above the ground. Only a single ju- venile (YPM 12413) was collected during the dry season, suggesting that reproduc- tion in this species does not occur year- round. Specimens collected: 23 males (SVL 32.6—50.0 mm), 10 females (SVL 30.7—43.4 mm), 8 juveniles (SVL 20.1—28.7 mm). Ahuachapan: Cooperativa Concepcion Mi- ramar: YPM 12332, 12401, 12410, 12414, 12416-12417, 12419; Parque Nacional El Imposible: YPM 12329, 12339, 12400, 12402, 12407-12408, 12412, 12415, 12420, 12424, 12993-12998; Sonsonate: Bosque Las Lajas: YPM 12338-12339, 12404-12406, 12409, 12411, 12418; Finca Nuevos Horizontes: YPM 12328, 12330-12331, 12333-12337, 12403, 12413. Elevation 550—1,150 m. Norops sericeus (Hallowell 1856) In Parque Nacional El Imposible, Norops sericeus generally inhabited disturbed areas at lower elevations, and was replaced by Norops macrophallus at higher eleva- tions. However, a middle elevation pine plantation on the crater rim of Bosque Las Lajas yielded only Norops sericeus, whereas the lower elevation forest was in- habited by Norops macrophallus. Norops sericeus was commonly seen along road- sides and in plantations on the coastal plain, where apparently it was the only Norops present in these open, exposed and disturbed habitats. Specimens collected: 6 males (SVL 27.0—-45.0 mm), 3 females (SVL 32.0—35.0 mm). Ahuachapan: Parque Nacional El Im- posible: YPM 12391; La Paz: Finca La Es- meralda: YPM 12390, 12392-12398. Sight records: Sonsonate: Bosque Las Lajas. Elevation 30-950 m. Norops serranoi Kohler 1999 This species occurs on the Pacific slope of northern Central America (Chiapas, Mex- ico, through Guatemala to eastern El Sal- vador) from sea level to 1,000 m elevation (Kohler 1999). Only juveniles were ob- served and collected in October; no juve- niles were seen between December and February, suggesting that the species repro- duces during the wet season in El Salvador. The stomach of YPM 12326 contained a large caterpillar of an arctiid moth. Arctiid caterpillars are typically covered with long, barbed hairs, and are occasionally armed with alkaloids as a means of antipredator defense (David L. Wagner, pers. comm. 2003). Specimens collected: 3 males (SVL 60.0—72.0 mm), 4 females (SVL 51.0—75.0 mm), 2 juveniles (SVL 30.2-35.9 mm). Ahuachapan: Parque Nacional El Imposi- ble: YPM 12324-12326, 12447-12450, 12990-12991. Elevation 260-800 m. Notes on a Collection of Amphibians and Reptiles from El Salvador FAMILY IGUANIDAE: SUBFAMILY PHRYNOSOMATINAE Sceloporus malachiticus Cope 1864 Throughout its range in Central America, Sceloporus malachiticus mostly inhabits cool mountainous habitats. The distribu- tion of this species in El Salvador as indi- cated by Kohler (2000) is incorrect (see also Schmidt and others 1999): Salvadoran Sceloporus malachiticus are not restricted to high and middle elevations, as we also found the species in hot and arid lowlands in coffee plantations and other disturbed habitats, as well as in mature broadleaf for- est. At least in the lower elevation popula- tions, juveniles seemed to be mostly terres- trial (several were found underneath logs), whereas adults typically were seen basking high in trees. Female Salvadoran Sceloporus mala- chiticus reach sexual maturity at an SVL of 60 to 70 mm (Schmidt and others 1999). Reproduction is seasonal in Costa Rica (Marion and Sexton 1971; Reznick and Sexton 1986), where females only give birth once a year, during the dry season. Schmidt and others (1999) reported juveniles in January, April, October and November in E] Salvador. All of our young juveniles were collected in January. YPM 12481 was col- lected at an elevation of 2,480 m on Cerro El Pital, 280 m higher than the highest record for Sceloporus malachiticus in El Sal- vador (Schmidt and others 1999). YPM 12356 had an as of yet unidentified para- sitic worm in its nostril. Specimens collected: 5 adult males (SVL 76.0—98.2 mm), 7 adult females (SVL 67.0-82.8 mm), 16 juveniles (9 male, 7 fe- Postilla 231 17. male). Ahuachapan: Cooperativa Concep- cidn Miramar: YPM 12306-12310, 12349, 12353, 12355, 12359-12360; Parque Na- cional El Imposible: YPM 12356, 12357, 12350; Chalatenango: Cerro El Pital: YPM 12481; San Miguel: Volcan San Miguel: YPM 12472, 12480; San Salvador: San Sal- vador: YPM 12361; Sonsonate: Bosque Las Lajas: YPM 12351, 12354; Finca Nuevos Horizontes: YPM 12352. Elevation 720—2,480 m. Sceloporus squamosus Bocourt 1874 This species is oviparous (Werning 2002). Many juveniles were present during the months of November through February, suggesting a peak in reproductive activity coinciding with the dry season. Specimens collected: 4 males (SVL 32.6—49.0 mm), 6 females (SVL 35.0—50.0 mm), 8 juveniles. Ahuachapan: Parque Na- cional El Imposible: YPM 12368, 12370-12371, 12373-12377; La Paz: Finca La Esmeralda: YPM 12372, 12378; Santa Ana: San Diego y La Barra: YPM 12471; Sonsonate: Finca Nuevos Horizontes: YPM 12315-12319, 12369. Elevation 250—1,250 m. Sceloporus variabilis Wiegmann 1834 Sceloporus variabilis was commonly found amidst scrubby vegetation in arid regions of eastern El Salvador, and was replaced at higher elevations by Sceloporus squamosus. In western El Salvador, the latter species occurred in habitats similar to those occu- pied by Sceloporus variabilis in the eastern regions of the country. Savage (2002) men- 18 Postilla 231 Notes on a Collection of Amphibians and Reptiles from El Salvador tions a peak in reproductive activity for Costa Rican individuals from July to No- vember. The relative absence of hatchlings of this species in suitable locations in El Salvador from November to December agrees with the reproductive pattern re- ported for Costa Rican individuals. Specimens collected: 3 males (SVL 55.4-71.1 mm), 4 females (SVL 52.9-58.5 mm), 1 juvenile (SVL 36.6 mm). Morazan: Rio Sapo: YPM 14005-14011; Rio Negro: 14012. Elevation 655—995 m. FAMILY SCINCIDAE Mabuya unimarginata Cope 1862 This species is often found in disturbed habitat near human settlements, at the edges of forested regions and in clearings in forested regions or on plantations. While the species is mainly terrestrial in forested areas with a leaf litter layer, it is arboreal in open terrain (that is, on plantations, where it prefers coconut palms and hides in the leaf axils of old fronds). The species has black mesenteries. Specimens collected: 7 specimens (SVL 53.0—80.0 mm). Ahuachapan: Parque Na- cional El Imposible: YPM 12311, 12444-12446; La Paz: Finca La Esmeralda: YPM 12443; Morazan: Rio Sapo: YPM 14002; San Miguel: Volcan San Miguel: YPM 12470. Elevation 115-800 m. Mesoscincus managuae (Dunn 1933) Our vouchers are the only records of which we are aware for Mesoscincus managuae from El Salvador. YPM 12468 represents a country record (see Greenbaum and others 2003), and its discovery in northern El Sal- vador constitutes a substantial northward expansion of the known geographic distri- bution of this species. However, the precise locality for this specimen according to Greenbaum and others (2003) is somewhat ambiguous (the reported GPS coordinates could be in error, since they do not corre- spond with the locality mentioned). The subsequent collection of YPM 12436 in western El Salvador again extended the species’ geographic range. The proximity of the YPM 12436 collecting site to the Guate- malan border, and the fact that dry scrub forest extends uninterruptedly into Guatemala, suggests that Mesoscincus man- aguae may eventually be added to the her- petofauna of that country as well. Specimens collected: 2 specimens (SVL 96.8—120.0 mm). Ahuachapan: Parque Na- cional El Imposible: YPM 12436; Santa Ana: N side of Lago de Gitija: YPM 12468. Elevation 425-710 m. Sphenomorphus assatus (Cope 1864) Two of the 3 specimens (YPM 12314, 12439) of this small leaf litter skink were collected at the type locality, the base of the Izalco volcano. A third specimen collected in Parque Nacional El Imposible represents the first record for the species from Depar- tamento Ahuachapan. Specimens collected: 3 specimens (SVL 40.0—52.5 mm). Ahuachapan: Parque Na- cional El Imposible: YPM 12992; Son- sonate: Finca Nuevos Horizontes: YPM 12314, 12439. Elevation 760—1,240 m. Notes on a Collection of Amphibians and Reptiles from El Salvador Postilla 231 19 FAMILY GYMNOPHTHALMIDAE Gymnophthalmus speciosus (Hallowell 1861) Our specimens are apparently the first records for Departamento Ahuachapan. This species was common on roadsides and other sunny, exposed areas with sufficient leaf litter. Specimens collected: 4 specimens (SVL 42.2-43.7 mm), all with regenerating tails. Ahuachapan: Cooperativa Concepcion Mi- ramar: YPM 12441; Parque Nacional El Imposible: YPM 12313, 12440, 12442. Ele- vation 775-895 m. FAMILY TEIIDAE Ameiva undulata (Wiegmann 1834) Several of the females collected (for exam- ple, YPM 12294, 12298, 12454) were gravid and contained between 5 and 9 oviducal eggs, up to 18 mm by 10 mm in size. All ju- veniles collected during the dry season were of comparable size, suggesting a peak in reproductive activity in this species. YPM 12465 has a forked tail growing on an old fracture. The main tail is 82.2 mm long with the bifurcation beginning at 20 mm from the vent; the second tail is 2.3 mm long and branches on the ventral side of the main tail. YPM 12298 and YPM 12454 contain unidentified nematodes in the body cavity near the vent, and cysts at- tached to the ventral integument. Specimens collected: 4 males (SVL 79.8-112.4 mm), 7 females (SVL 74.7—102.6 mm), 18 juveniles (SVL 34.4-71 mm). Ahuachapan: Cooperativa Concepcion Mi- ramar: YPM 12293, 12295, 12303-12304, 12457, 12460, 12462, 12467; Parque Nacional El Imposible: YPM 12296, 12298-12300, 12454-12455, 12459, 12461, 12463; La Liber- tad: Jardines del Volcan: YPM 12469; Morazan: Rio Sapo: YPM 14000-14001; Sonsonate: Bosque Las Lajas: YPM 12464-66; Finca Nuevos Horizontes: YPM 12294, 12297, 12301-12302, 12456, 12458. Sight records: La Paz: Finca La Esmeralda. Elevation 115—1,200 m. Cnemidophorus deppit Wiegmann 1830 The squamation and color pattern of YPM 12435 agree with the description in Mertens (1952). In El Salvador this species seems to be restricted to the coastal plain. At Finca La Esmeralda it was found in sympatry with Ameiva undulata, although Cnemidophorus preferred drier and more open habitat than Ameiva undulata, which was more often found under cover of vegetation. Specimens collected: | adult male (SVL 76 mm, TL 256 mm). La Paz: Finca La Esmer- alda: YPM 12435. Sight records: San Salvador: International Airport. Elevation 115-250 m. REPTILIA: SERPENTES FAMILY BOIDAE Boa constrictor Linnaeus 1758 Our specimens agree in pattern and pholi- dosis characteristics with the descriptions of Mertens (1952) and Wilson and Meyer (1985). Salvadoran Boa constrictor are habi- tat generalists, found in relatively undis- 20 Postilla 231 Notes on a Collection of Amphibians and Reptiles from El Salvador turbed forest as well as in cultivated areas and near human settlements. Two of the specimens, YPM 12327 and 12438, had re- cently eaten a Deppe’s squirrel (Sciurus deppei) and a big-eared climbing rat (Ototylomys phyllotis), respectively (Leen- ders and Watkins-Colwell 2003c). Specimens collected: 4 females (SVL 986-2170 mm). Ahuachapan: Parque Na- cional El Imposible: YPM 12323, 12327, 12438; Morazan: Rio Sapo: YPM 13994. El- evation 530-750 m. FAMILY COLUBRIDAE Coniophanes fissidens (Giinther 1858) YPM 12305 and YPM 12364 were found dead on an isolated dirt road through a coffee plantation and are badly damaged. No vehicles had passed on this road before the discovery of the specimens, but possi- bly free-ranging horses had trampled both snakes. YPM 12366 has an intact tail, al- though this species is known for its high tail-breakage incidence (Mendelson 1992). Our specimens from Ahuachapan appar- ently are the first records for this Depart- ment. Pholidosis characteristics for YPM 12364-12366 are as follows: ventrals 123-126 (n=3), subcaudals in specimen with intact tail 89, anal plate divided; lo- real scale present; 2 preoculars, 2 postocu- lars, temporals 1+2; supralabials 8, 4th and 5th enter orbita (n=3), or 9 with 5th and 6th entering orbita (n=1); 10-11 in- fralabials; dorsal scales smooth, in 21-21-17 rows. Apical scale pits absent. The single individual with an intact tail measures 209 mm SVL (TL 312 mm); av- erage SVL in this small sample is 267 mm. Specimens collected: 2 males (YPM 12365-12366, as indicated by everted hemi- penes), 1 female (YPM 12364), 1 sex unde- terminable (YPM 12305). Ahuachapan: Co- operativa Concepci6n Miramar: YPM 12365; Parque Nacional El Imposible: YPM 12366; Sonsonate: Finca Nuevos Horizontes: YPM 12305, 12364. Elevation 1,100—1,280 m. Drymobius margaritiferus (Schlegel 1837) Several adults were observed in Parque Na- cional El Imposible, but only one was col- lected. The color pattern of Salvadoran Drymobius margaritiferus is paler than in Atlantic populations and of those north of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (Savage 2002); the pattern of yellowish cream to brown spots on the center of each dorsal scale is typical of populations ranging from Chia- pas, Mexico, and western Guatemala to El Salvador (Mertens 1952). The dorsal scales of YPM 12499 are adorned with a low keel, edged in black, and accentuated by a yellow stripe running through the center of each scale; this pattern is more pronounced to- ward the tail where each scale has an iso- lated light center. Pholidosis characteristics of YPM 12429 agree with those of Mertens (1952) and Wilson and Meyer (1985). Specimens collected: 1 male (SVL 556 mm). Ahuachapan: Parque Nacional El Im- posible: YPM 12429. Elevation 750-780 m. Leptodeira annulata (Linnaeus 1758) Mertens (1952) mentions specimens of Leptodeira annulata polysticta with more Notes on a Collection of Amphibians and Reptiles from El Salvador than 200 ventral scales and describes the species as arboreal. Based on other details of his description, we consider Mertens’ identifications in error; these specimens should be referred to Leptodeira septentri- onalis. Kohler (1996) records a small sam- ple of Leptodeira annulata with ventral scale counts of 165 to 172, with one speci- men (SMF 77419) having 205. We also consider it likely that SMF 77419 is a Lep- todeira septentrionalis. Leptodeira annulata is a predominantly terrestrial snake that feeds mainly on amphibians. Our specimen was collected under a log at the edge of a small puddle in the drying bed of the Rio Sapo that contained metamorphosing tad- poles of Scinax staufferi and Rana macu- lata. It appears to be the first record for Leptodeira annulata from Departamento Morazan. Pholidosis characteristics for YPM 14003 are as follows: ventrals 168, subcau- dals 84, anal plate divided; loreal scale pre- sent; 3 preoculars, 2 postoculars, temporals 1+2; supralabials 8, 4th and 5th enter or- bita; 10 infralabials; dorsal scales smooth, in 21-21-17 rows. Apical scale pits present. Specimens collected: 1 female (SVL 305 mm, TL 410 mm). Morazan: Rio Sapo: YPM 14003. Elevation 674 m. Leptodeira septentrionalis (Kennicott 1859) Our specimens agree with the descriptions in Mertens (1952) and Wilson and Meyer (1985). This widespread and adaptable species is one of the most common snakes in El Salvador. We collected specimens from habitats as diverse as human habita- tions, shade-grown coffee plantations, ever- Postilla 231 an green broadleaf forest, and cloud forest. YPM 14060 was collected in the branches of a tree overhanging a cascading moun- tain stream, at a height of approximately 2 m; on capture it regurgitated a recently caught adult Rana maculata. The individu- als collected in Departamento Ahuachapan (YPM 12430, 14058) appear to be the first records for this Department. Pholidosis characteristics are as follows: ventrals 196-205, subcaudals 79-100, anal plate divided; loreal scale present; 3 to 4 preoculars, usually 3, 2 postoculars, tempo- rals 1+2; supralabials 8, 4th and 5th enter orbita (9, 5th and 6th entering orbit on one side of YPM 14059); 10 infralabials; dorsal scales smooth, in 21 to 23 rows at mid- body, 17 rows when counted | head length anterior to vent. Apical scale pits present. Largest individual (YPM 14060) measures 783 mm TL. Specimens collected: 2 males (SVL 520-554 mm), 3 females (SVL 454-582 mm). Ahuachapan: Parque Nacional El Imposi- ble: YPM 12430, 14058; Morazan: Nahua- terique: YPM 14060; Santa Ana: Parque Nacional Los Andes: YPM 14061; Parque Nacional Montecristo: YPM 14059. Eleva- tion 760-1,850 m. Ninia sebae (Duméril, Bibron and Duméril 1854) The 3 specimens of Ninia sebae were col- lected under large logs in the heavily culti- vated habitat of a shade-grown coffee plan- tation. YPM 12312 and 12363 contained 2 and 4 oviducal eggs, respectively (lengths 20 to 25 mm, diameter 6 to 7 mm). Pholidosis characteristics are as follows: bo ~) 2. Postilla 231 Notes on a Collection of Amphibians and Reptiles from El Salvador ventrals 142-148, subcaudals 55-59, anal plate single; loreal scale absent; 1 preocular, 2 postoculars, temporals 1+2; supralabials 7-8, 3rd and 4th enter orbita; 6 to 8 infral- abials; dorsal scales striated and unicari- nate, in 19 rows throughout. Apical scale pits absent. The largest individual (YPM 12363) measures 356 mm TL. These char- acteristics agree with those presented in Mertens (1952) and Wilson and Meyer (1985). Specimens collected: 3 adult females (SVL 198-285 mm). Ahuachapan: Cooperativa Concepcion Miramar: YPM 12312, 12362-12363. Elevation 950—1,100 m. Oxybelis aeneus (Wagler 1824) This primarily arboreal snake is known to occasionally descend to the ground to hunt (Henderson and Nickerson 1977), and ter- restrial lizards have been reported as its prey items (see Smith and Grant 1958). The leaf litter and tall grass of the forest edge where YPM 12426 was collected har- bored many Mabuya unimarginata, and this animal may have been stalking lizard prey. YPM 13999 was climbing in scrubby thorn brush approximately 1 m above the ground. YPM 12426 was heavily infested with mites beneath the dorsal scales. YPM 12462 appears to be the first record of the species for Departamento Ahuachapan. Pholidosis characteristics for YPM 12426 and 13999, respectively, are as fol- lows: ventrals 188 (187), subcaudals 168 (174), anal plate divided; loreal scale ab- sent; 1 preocular, 2 postoculars, temporals 1+2; supralabials 9/10, 5th and 6th (4th, 5th and 6th in one side of YPM 13999) enter orbita; 10 infralabials; dorsal scales smooth, in 15—17—13 rows. Apical scale pits absent. These characteristics agree with Mertens (1952) and Wilson and Meyer (1985). Specimens collected: 1 adult male (SVL 802 mm, TL 1314 mm), 1 adult female (SVL 770 mm, TL 1300 mm). Ahuachapan: Par- que Nacional El Imposible: YPM 12426; Morazan: Rio Sapo: YPM 13999. Elevation 674-760 m. Oxybelis fulgidus (Daudin 1803) Oxybelis fulgidus is a common snake in El Imposible National Park, based on the number of individuals observed relative to the number of person-hours spent in the field. Our record from Departamento Ahuachapan appears to be the first for this species from northwestern El Salvador. All specimens are uniform leaf green except for a narrow white stripe on the venterolateral edges of the body. The skin is white with a zebra-like pattern of black diagonal stripes, visible between the scales only when the skin is stretched. The tongue is green; indi- viduals were seen crawling through vegeta- tion with the tongue extended continuously (this unexplained behavior has been noted in the genus Oxybelis by Henderson and Binder 1980). YPM 12348 was taken in a mist net where it was attempting to feed on an entangled ruddy woodcreeper (Den- drocincla homochroa). This capture indi- cates Oxybelis fulgidus occasionally descends to the ground to forage (Leenders and Watkins-Colwell 2003d). The other 2 speci- mens were caught in shrubs and a small tree, at heights up to 2.5 m. Notes on a Collection of Amphibians and Reptiles from El Salvador Postilla 231 23 Pholidosis characteristics for YPM 12348, 12427 and 12431, respectively, are as follows: ventrals 201, 204, 210, subcaudals 168, 158, 156, anal plate divided; loreal scale absent; 1 preocular, 2 postoculars, temporals 1+2; supralabials 10/11, 5th, 6th and 7th enter orbita; 10/12 infralabials; dorsal scales smooth, except vertebral and 4 paravertebral scale rows keeled, in 17-17-13 rows. Apical scale pits absent. These characteristics agree with the de- scriptions in Mertens (1952) and Wilson and Meyer (1985). Specimens collected: 1 female (SVL 1250 mm), 2 males (SVL 1088-1285 mm). Ahuachapan: Parque Nacional El Imposi- ble: YPM 12348, 12427, 12431. Elevation 750-800 m. Rhadinaea godmani (Giinther 1865) Mertens (1952) describes 2 males whose scalation and coloration characteristics agree with our female. The only salient dif- ference is that YPM 13000 has fewer sub- caudal scales (87) than reported (91) by Mertens (1952); since YPM 13000 has an intact tail, this is most likely explained by sexual dimorphism. Few specimens of Rhadinaea godmani are known from El Sal- vador; it is recorded from the highlands of Sonsonate and Chalatenango (Mertens 1952; McCranie and Wilson 1992). YPM 13000 appears to be the first record for De- partamento Santa Ana. Our specimen was collected from under a log during late afternoon and was kept alive overnight. When it was removed from the collecting bag in the morning, it appeared dead, showing no reaction to being handled, nor any visible dilation or contraction of the pupil. However, shortly after being measured and photographed, faint muscular responses were noted, and the snake resumed normal activity only hours later after ambient temperatures had risen to 16°C or 17°C (nighttime low tem- peratures in the area had reached 13°C). We are assuming torpor may be a response for survival at the low temperatures preva- lent in this species’ highland habitat. Pholidosis characteristics for YPM 13000 are as follows: ventrals 169, subcau- dals 80, anal plate divided; 1 loreal scale; 1 preocular, 2 postoculars, temporals 1+2; supralabials 8, 4th and 5th enter orbita; 9 infralabials; dorsal scales smooth, in 21-21-21 rows. Apical scale pits absent. Specimens collected: 1 female (SVL 336 mm, TL 457 mm). Santa Ana: Parque Na- cional Los Andes: YPM 13000. Elevation evAlyeacn’s Senticolis triaspis (Cope 1866) YPM 12428 displays the typical juvenile color pattern described for the northern form of the subspecies Senticolis triaspis mutabilis fide Dowling (1960): 82 dark- outlined, maroon blotches (53 on body and 29 on tail) on a tan background. A larger, uniformly tan female was collected in the same locality, but escaped before being measured and preserved; only faint traces of the juvenile pattern were visible on the head and vertebral area of this indi- vidual. Throughout Central America and Mex- ico, Senticolis triaspis is found in seasonally dry forests and is mostly nocturnal during 24 Postilla 231 Notes on a Collection of Amphibians and Reptiles from El Salvador the driest and hottest months (Leenders, personal observation). Both Salvadoran specimens were active when found: the male was caught at the base of a small rock pile at 1140 h, whereas the female was dis- covered at 1.2 m while entering a crevice in a tree trunk at 1350 h. Pholidosis characteristics are as follows: ventrals 260, subcaudals 110, anal plate di- vided; loreal scale present; 1 preocular, 2 postoculars, temporals 3+3; supralabials 8, 4th and 5th enter orbita; 11 infralabials; dorsal scales smooth, in 28—31—21 rows. Apical scale pits present. Total length 630 mm. The specimen agrees well with the de- scriptions given by Mertens (1952) and Wilson and Meyer (1985). Specimens collected: 1 male (SVL 500 mm, TL 630 mm) as determined by everted hemipenes. Sonsonate: Bosque Las Lajas: YPM 12428. Elevation 800-970 m. Spilotes pullatus (Linnaeus 1758) YPM 12453 has olive brown to black dorsal scales on a yellow background. The base of each dorsal scale is uniformly yellow, as is the snake’s ventral surface. A variegated pattern of oblique black stripes is evident in this specimen when it flattens its body, a coloration historically attributed to the subspecies Spilotes pullatus mexicanus (Schmidt 1928; Amaral 1929), although ex- tensive individual variation and ontoge- netic color change hamper recognition of geographical races in this species (Wilson and Meyer 1985; Savage 2002). This snake was discovered basking on a low bush along a riverbed, at a height of approxi- mately 2 m, and it fled rapidly through the tree tops when approached. Interviews with campesinos at our field sites indicated that people were not familiar with this species, suggesting it either escapes detec- tion or is uncommon. Its occurrence in El Salvador may be restricted to larger tracts of relatively undisturbed forest. This ap- pears to be the first record of Spilotes pulla- tus for Departamento Ahuachapan. Pholidosis characteristics are as follows: ventrals 222, subcaudals 95 (tail tip miss- ing), anal plate entire; loreal scale present; 1 preocular, 2 postoculars, temporals 1+1; supralabials 8, 4th and 5th enter orbita; 9 infralabials; dorsal scales keeled, except lower scale rows smooth, in 17-18-14 rows. Apical scale pits absent. Scalation characteristics agree with those reported for Honduran specimens by Wilson and Meyer (1985). Specimens collected: 1 male (SVL 1874 mm, TL 2426 mm [tail tip missing]) as de- termined by everted hemipenes. Ahuachapan: Parque Nacional El Imposi- ble: YPM 12453. Elevation 600 m. Stenorrhina freminvillet Dumeéril, Bibron and Duméril 1854 Both our specimens present 5 longitudinal black stripes on a cream background, lo- cated on scale rows 3+4, 6, and the mid- dorsal scale row (counting up from the ventralia). Their characteristics agree with the descriptions by Mertens (1952) and Wilson and Meyer (1985). Pholidosis characteristics for the male, YPM 12476, are as follows: ventrals 169, subcaudals 37, anal plate divided. Rostral scale large; prenasals fused with adjacent Notes on a Collection of Amphibians and Reptiles from El Salvador internasals; a loreal scale is present; 1 pre- ocular, 2 postoculars, temporals 1+2; supralabials 7, 3th and 4th enter orbita; 7 infralabials; dorsal scales smooth, in 19-17-16 rows. Pholidosis characteristics for the female, YPM 12999, are as follows: ventrals 197, subcaudals 31, anal plate di- vided. Rostral scale large; prenasals fused with adjacent internasals; a loreal scale is present; 1 preocular, 2 postoculars, tempo- rals 1+2; supralabials 7, 3th and 4th enter orbita; 7 infralabials; dorsal scales smooth, in 17-17-15 rows. Specimens collected: 1 female (SVL 354 mm, TL 702 mm), 1 male (SVL 337 mm, TL 404 mm). Santa Ana: N side of Lago de Giija: YPM 12476; Parque Nacional Los Andes: YPM 12999. Elevation 445—1,700 m. Tantilla brevicauda Mertens 1952 The color characteristics of YPM 12367 are as follows: venter immaculate cream, grad- ually changing to white posteriorly; scales dark brown with speckling of light dots, mostly concentrated along lateral edges; band along midline of each scale relatively devoid of light pigment; apex of each scale dark. This color pattern is most pro- nounced on the central 9 dorsal scale rows, producing the effect of dark longitudinal stripes running along the center of these scale rows. The light pigment is less con- centrated on the ventrolateral scale rows, and a faint lateral stripe is present on scale row 3. A light orange to tan nuchal fleck is located on dorsal scale row 1, extending onto the parietal scales; the posterior mar- gin is straight, but the nuchal marking ex- tends anteriorly along the suture and mar- Postilla 231 i) ww gins of the parietal scales in a 3-pronged marking; light fleck present on snout, but there are no light markings on supralabials. YPM 12367 agrees with specimens mentioned by Mertens (1952), but differs in some aspects from the description of his type series. The light vertebral stripe re- ported for the holotype (SMF 43243) and paratype (SMF 43244) are absent in YPM 12367. Mertens also comments on the bright red undersides of the tails on his specimens, also lacking in YPM 12367. YPM 12367 was found at night crossing a trail through secondary vegetation. Pholidosis characteristics are as follows: ventrals 149, subcaudals 23, anal plate di- vided. A loreal scale is absent; 1 preocular, 2 postoculars, temporals 1+1; supralabials 7, 3th and 4th enter orbita; 6 infralabials; dorsal scales smooth, in 15 rows through- out; no apical scale pits. Specimens collected: 1 adult male (SVL 153 mm, TL 170 mm), as indicated by everted hemipenes. Ahuachapan: Parque Nacional El Imposible: YPM 12367. Elevation 750 m. Tropidodipsas fischeri Boulenger 1894 YPM 14024 was found in a barren, rocky area free of vegetation, on the crater rim of the Santa Ana volcano. This animal had been recently killed by a raptor, and is too badly damaged to measure accurately or to sex. YPM 14023 was found below a log. Pholidosis characteristics for YPM 14023 are as follows: ventrals 176, subcau- dals 60, anal plate entire. A loreal scale is present; no preoculars, 1 postocular, tem- porals 1+2; supralabials 6 to 7, 3th and 4th, and, 4th and 5th, enter orbita, respectively; 26 Postilla 231 Notes on a Collection of Amphibians and Reptiles from El Salvador 6 to 8 infralabials; dorsal scales weakly keeled, most prominently on 4 mid-dorsal rows; dorsal scales in 17 rows throughout; no apical scale pits. Specimens collected: 2 adults, sex undeter- mined, (YPM 14023: SVL 380 mm, TL 473 mm). Santa Ana: Parque Nacional Los Andes: YPM 14024; Parque Nacional Monte- cristo: YPM 14023. Elevation 2,020—2,415 m. Tropidodipsas sartorii Cope 1863 Our specimen agrees with descriptions of this species in Mertens (1952) (as Tropi- dodipsas carrit) and Meyer and Wilson (1985), except that it lacks the loreal scale in Honduran specimens reported by the later authors. Pholidosis characteristics are as follows: ventrals 181, subcaudals 67, anal plate en- tire. A loreal scale is absent; 1 to 2 preocu- lars, 2 postoculars, temporals 1+2; supral- abials 7 to 8, 4th and 5th enter orbita; 9 infralabials; dorsal scales smooth to lightly keeled, in 17 rows throughout; no apical scale pits. Specimens collected: | juvenile (SVL 234 mm, TL 291 mm). Santa Ana: Parque Na- cional Montecristo: YPM 14022. Elevation 1,820 m. FAMILY VIPERIDAE: SUBFAMILY CROTALINAE Atropoides nummifer (Riippell 1845) Pholidosis characteristics are as follows: ventrals 130, 23 undivided subcaudals, anal plate entire. Dorsal scales are heavily keeled and in 25-25-21 rows. Conspicuous mid- dorsal ridge present. Apical scale pits ab- sent. Small occipital scales keeled, except for slightly enlarged supraoculars. Supral- abials 10, infralabials 12. Specimens collected: 1 adult female (SVL 650 mm, TL 710 mm). Sonsonate: Bosque Las Lajas: YPM 12425. Elevation 970 m. Cerrophidion godmani (Gunther 1863) This is a common snake at higher eleva- tions in Volcan Santa Ana. It occurs in veg- etable patches, gardens and other cultivated areas, as well as in the low scrub forest sur- rounding the crater rim, preferring open areas. Within the forest interior, Cerrophid- ion godmani is mostly found on or next to trails and old logging roads. YPM 12478 contained in its stomach a partly digested rodent, most likely Heteromys desmares- tianus (Heteromyidae: Rodentia), a com- mon terrestrial species of Central Ameri- can highland locales (Reid 1997). This prey item has been recorded from Costa Rican Cerrophidion godmani (Campbell and Solorzano 1992). Pholidosis characteristics are as follows: ventrals 129-145, 27—32 undivided subcau- dals, anal plate entire. Dorsal scales are keeled and in 19 to 23 rows at midbody and 17 to 19 rows when measured one head-length anterior to the vent. Apical scale pits present, but barely discernible. Small occipital scales keeled, except for en- larged supraoculars. Juvenile (YPM 14018) with bright yellow tail tip. Maximum total length (YPM 12478) is 547 mm. Specimens collected: 1 male (SVL 489 mm), 4 females (SVL 392-431 mm), | ju- Notes on a Collection of Amphibians and Reptiles from El Salvador Postilla 231 27 venile (SVL 173 mm, TL 192). Chalate- nango: Cerro El Pital: YPM 12478; Santa Ana: Parque Nacional Los Andes: YPM 14017-14020; Parque Nacional Montecristo: YPM 14021. Elevation 1,600—2,440 m. Conclusions Salvadoran amphibian and reptile popula- tions have until recently remained largely unstudied and findings based on speci- mens from adjacent areas were extrapo- lated to Salvadoran individuals (see Lynch 2000). The current study and other recent studies of El Salvador amphibians and reptiles have yielded significant findings (K6hler 1999; K6hler and Kreutz 1999; McCranie and Kohler 1999). Our work has raised questions regarding the taxo- nomic status of Salvadoran populations of Bolitoglossa conanti, Eleutherodactylus rhodopis, Norops crassulus and Sceloporus malachiticus. In addition, the status of several species known to occur in El Sal- vador (or formerly known to occur there before adjustment of the international boundaries in 1992) remains uncertain. We have no verified information on the occurrence of Bolitoglossa salvinii (Gray 1868), Hyla catracha Porras and Wilson 1987, Celestus atitlanensis Smith 1950, and certain Plectrohyla and Abronia on Sal- vadoran territory, although park rangers and local campesinos recognized descrip- tions of Abronia and Celestus atitlanensts in Parque Nacional Montecristo and E Imposible, respectively (the interviewees considered these species “rare but still pre- sent”). Our fieldwork in shade-grown coffee areas (such as Finca Nuevos Horizontes, Concepcion Miramar) and former coffee plantations abandoned for 20 to 25 years (parts of the La Fincona and San Benito sectors of Parque Nacional El Imposible) indicates that these cultivated areas are to some extent taking over the role of the original broadleaf forest vegetation. The presence of forest-dwelling species such as Corytophanes percarinatus, and possibly Celestus atitlanensis, in formerly deforested areas also suggests that restoration of habi- tat is possible if intensive agricultural prac- tices and disturbances by human activity can be curtailed. Parallel findings have been reported in migratory bird surveys, which show that forest birds use shade- grown coffee plantations as a surrogate for natural forest habitat (Oliver Komar, pers. comm. 2001). However, low coffee prices in recent years currently jeopardize the con- tinued existence of these surrogate forest habitats, since local farmers are under pres- sure to cultivate more environmentally detrimental, but profitable, crops such as cotton and sugar cane. Acknowledgments We thank Lic. Ernesto Lopez Zepeda and Enrique Barrasa of the Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales for logistical support, and Juan Pablo Dominguez, Oliver Komar and Juan Marco Alvarez of SalvaNATURA, for assistance in the field. James Owen and Socorro Valdés de Owen generously made their house in San Salvador available to Leenders. We also thank the staff of the Parque Zoologico Nacional and the Escuela de Biologia at the Universidad Nacional for their assistance. David Wagner (University of Connecticut) 28 Postilla 231 Notes on a Collection of Amphibians and Reptiles from El Salvador i graciously identified arthropod remains ex- tracted from the stomachs of some speci- mens. Many enthusiastic students and vol- unteers helped with field work in El Salvador, and special thanks go to Vladlen Henriquez Cisneros, Kattia Gomez Hen- riquez, Max Shpak, Fanny Flores, Carlos Zaldafa and Cullen Hanks. We thank Bill Duellman for confirming tadpole identifi- cations. This research was made possible by financial support from the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History and Sal- vaNATURA to Leenders. We also thank Aaron Bauer, Hobart M. Smith, James D. Lazell and Lawrence Gall for constructive and timely comments on earlier drafts of the manuscript. About the Authors Twan A. A. M. Leenders Division of Vertebrate Zoology Peabody Museum of Natural History Yale University P.O. Box 208118 New Haven, CT 06520-8118 USA twanleenders@scinax.com Gregory J. Watkins-Colwell Division of Vertebrate Zoology Peabody Museum of Natural History Yale University P.O. 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Ader aa a a a ee ee el ite rT PU AUT Pade: 1:. oh ad ’ mY t, Te De 559 4a OG os '% 7 : Ss A ree Ma ee ea etve Pert j { i Tue stgct Oe ee rd a at Biel + We ae 9 Majin ein ft : eh; | eral LAP »)+ ' Jeng a : ae omy § =F (pes 6 pritaanye: ul S2gitwi j ast hee a ie n | yO : al a 7 — : = jae a j i. ghiti? o) Birr ea! Pi Art; ve Lh oi PT rcae’ > do) so. ee 00 "eas Sciir@etat Wes: 1¢ « pint? onl 20% be | si% ro. = r, Oi ¢ ¢ : : iqy 8 “i imrnH » util, Sgt iia phot CCCI Ai) arsndd) wilpaaad wy * degre, PO | a i cere? bas ALJ dine Sum oi \ 44 bee Se OL a Lee 1 ae :. SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION LIBRARIES