Biology:Dermophis occidentalis

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Short description: Species of amphibian

Dermophis occidentalis
Scientific classification edit
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Gymnophiona
Clade: Apoda
Family: Dermophiidae
Genus: Dermophis
Species:
D. occidentalis
Binomial name
Dermophis occidentalis
Taylor, 1955[2]

Dermophis occidentalis is a species of caecilian in the family Dermophiidae.[3][4] It is endemic to south-western Costa Rica and occurs in the Pacific lowlands and premontane slopes, extending to the western part of the central valley. Its taxonomic status is unclear.[1]

Description

Dermophis occidentalis is a small-sized caecilian measuring 192–235 mm (7.6–9.3 in) in total length. It has 95–112 primary and 29–37 secondary annuli.[5] The body is slender,[2] with its length 30 to 32 times the body width.[5]). The head is narrow and light grayish tan in color. The body is dorsally lavender plumbeous, turning lighter ventrally.[2]

Habitat and conservation

Dermophis occidentalis occurs in lowland and submontane rainforests at elevations of 365–970 m (1,198–3,182 ft) above sea level. It is a subterranean species that can be found under logs and in leaf litter. It is viviparous.[1]

Dermophis occidentalis is a poorly known species. Deforestation might be a threat to it. Its range overlaps with the Corcovado National Park, among others.[1]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2020). "Dermophis occidentalis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T59547A3078612. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T59547A3078612.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/59547/3078612. Retrieved 16 November 2021. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Taylor, E. H. (1955). "Additions to the known herpetological fauna of Costa Rica with comments on other species. No. II". University of Kansas Science Bulletin 37: 499–575. doi:10.5962/bhl.part.1591. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/part/138587. 
  3. Frost, Darrel R. (2018). "Dermophis occidentalis Taylor, 1955". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. http://research.amnh.org/vz/herpetology/amphibia/Amphibia/Gymnophiona/Dermophiidae/Dermophis/Dermophis-occidentalis. 
  4. "Dermophiidae". AmphibiaWeb. University of California, Berkeley. 2018. https://amphibiaweb.org/lists/Dermophiidae.shtml. 
  5. 5.0 5.1 Savage, J. M.; Wake, M. H. (2001). "Reevaluation of the status of taxa of Central American caecilians (Amphibia: Gymnophiona), with comments on their origin and evolution". Copeia 2001: 52–64. doi:10.1643/0045-8511(2001)001[0052:ROTSOT2.0.CO;2]. 

Wikidata ☰ Q1941540 entry