Extremely Minute Salamander vs small tortoiseshell

Thorius minutissimus compared with Aglais urticae

Key Differences

• Extremely Minute Salamander is Critically Endangered while small tortoiseshell is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Extremely Minute Salamander	small tortoiseshell
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class	Amphibia (Amphibians)	Insecta (Insects)
Order	Caudata (Caudata)	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)
Family	Plethodontidae	Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
Genus	Thorius	Aglais
Species	Thorius minutissimus	Aglais urticae

Evolutionary Relationship

Extremely Minute Salamander and small tortoiseshell share a common ancestor at the Kingdom level: Animalia. (Animals)

Conservation Status

Extremely Minute Salamander

CR — Critically Endangered

small tortoiseshell

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Extremely Minute Salamander	small tortoiseshell
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Extremely Minute Salamander

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical coniferous forests, tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, and Mediterranean forests and woodlands, among 6 distinct biome types spanning the Nearctic and Neotropic realms. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Found in Mexico. Currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

small tortoiseshell

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Found across Europe (41 countries). Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

small tortoiseshell

small tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) is classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List. Close to qualifying as threatened, with populations that may become vulnerable without conservation action.