by the flickering of its tongue), and then run away as the paralytic poison begins to take effect in the snake. Evolution Natural selection Tropical adaptation of the Bolitoglossa is thought to have evolved from North American plethodontids. Natural selection is responsible for morphological changes shifting from those supporting temperate environments to those supporting tropical environments such as Panama and Costa Rica. Natural selection is thought to have resulted in genetic changes from physical adaptation. The main differences that have developed from natural selection affect the skull and bones of the feet in these salamanders. Due to these primary changes, secondary changes are believed to have followed, including: Body size Additional ossification of bones Webbing Ear structure Phylogeny of this genus is partially dependent on its variations in bone structure due to the effects of natural selection over a long period of time. Hybridization The first documented case of hybridization in tropical salamanders occurred between B. frankini and B. resplendens. This hybridization has taken a pervasive effect on the morphology of B. resplendens, whereas B. frankini seemed to maintain its same physical structure. Taxonomy Derived characteristics of the genus Bolitoglossa has led to their classification based on this specific list of characters: Tongue and hypobranchial apparatus Epibranchial Number embryos having a single epibranchial Tail Autotomy Brain stem motor control Bone structure of Jaws, Cranial, and inner ear Chromosome number diploid number of chromosomes is 26 Development Classification of this genus is primarily accomplished through analysis of the salamanders’ DNA. This has proven to be the most effective and accurate way of classifying this genus. Species As of September 2022, there are 137 species assigned to this genus, including the species listed below. References External links [web application]. 2008. Berkeley, California: Bolitoglossa. AmphibiaWeb, available at http://amphibiaweb.org/. (Accessed: 29 July 2008). Amphibian genera Amphibians of North America Amphibians of South America Taxa named by André Marie Constant Duméril Taxa named by Gabriel Bibron Taxa named by Auguste Duméril Taxonomy articles created by Polbot