Data from: Arboreal ecology of Plethodontidae: a review

Lungless salamanders in the family Plethodontidae are widely distributed and the most diverse lineage of caudates. Plethodontids occupy forested and freshwater habitats, where they can achieve remarkable abundance and biomass. The majority of tropical plethodontids are arboreal. Though generally considered ground dwelling, a large proportion of temperate species have been observed climbing shrubs, trees, and herbaceous vegetation. Approximately 45% of terrestrial and semi-aquatic (not including permanently aquatic) plethodontid species are known to obligately or facultatively climb vegetation; yet, with the exception of tropical plethodontids, the importance of arboreal habits is generally underappreciated. The potential benefits of arboreality vary based on life history and geography but may include improved olfaction, increased foraging potential, shelter and nesting, and predator avoidance. Constraints on arboreality include increased water loss rates and morphological limitations. Recognition of arboreal habits as a relevant component of salamander ecology is important in rapidly changing landscapes with anthropogenic alterations to midstory and canopy communities.

隶属于无肺螈科（Plethodontidae）的无肺蝾螈类群，不仅分布范围极广，同时也是有尾类（Caudata）中物种多样性最高的支系。无肺螈多栖息于森林与淡水生境中，种群丰度与生物量均可达到极高水平。绝大多数热带无肺螈均为树栖（arboreal）物种。尽管温带无肺螈通常被认为以陆栖为主，但已有大量观测记录显示，相当比例的温带类群会攀援灌木、乔木及草本植被。据目前所知，约45%的陆栖与半水生（不含终生水生类群）无肺螈物种会专性或兼性地攀援植被；然而除热带无肺螈类群外，树栖习性的生态重要性长期以来未得到足够重视。树栖习性可能带来的收益因物种生活史与分布地域而异，具体可包括嗅觉感知能力提升、觅食潜力增加、获得更多庇护与筑巢场所，以及有效躲避天敌。但树栖行为也存在诸多限制因素，例如水分流失速率加快以及形态学局限性。在当前受人为活动干扰、中层植被与冠层群落快速变化的景观中，认识到树栖习性是蝾螈生态学的重要组成部分，具有关键意义。