THORIUS PENNATULUS Meaning and
Definition
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Thorius pennatulus is a species of salamander commonly known as the Mexican minute salamander. It belongs to the family Plethodontidae, which comprises lungless salamanders. With an average length of around 2.5 centimeters, Thorius pennatulus holds the title of the smallest known tetrapod (four-limbed vertebrate) in the world.
This species typically inhabits the cloud forest regions of Mexico, particularly in the Oaxaca and Puebla states. It is highly adapted to its environment, featuring a slender body, elongated limbs, and a flattened head. Its coloration varies from pale grayish or brownish to reddish-brown, allowing for effective camouflage amidst leaf litter and damp forest floors.
Thorius pennatulus is a terrestrial species, dwelling primarily in moist environments such as mossy rocks, fallen logs, and leaf litter. Its diet consists mainly of small invertebrates like insects, spiders, and mites.
Due to its small size and limited natural distribution, Thorius pennatulus faces numerous threats to its survival. Habitat destruction, climate change, pollution, and collection for the pet trade constitute some of the primary threats facing this species. Consequently, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified Thorius pennatulus as critically endangered, implying that it faces an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
Efforts for the conservation and protection of Thorius pennatulus involve the preservation of its native cloud forest habitat, as well as the promotion of sustainable forestry practices and the enforcement of legislation against the illegal pet trade.
Etymology of THORIUS PENNATULUS
The word "Thorius pennatulus" is not technically an English word but rather a scientific name given to a species of salamander. It follows the binomial nomenclature system, which is the standard used in biology to name and classify organisms.
In this system, the first part of the name, "Thorius", is the genus name, and it pays tribute to legendary Norse god Thor. This, however, might be an example of a neoclassical naming convention and does not have a direct etymology.
The second part of the name, "pennatulus", is the species name. "Pennatulus" is derived from the Latin word "penna", meaning "feather" or "wing", and the diminutive suffix "-ulus", which means "little".
