Biology:Osteolaemus
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Short description: Genus of crocodiles
| Osteolaemus | |
|---|---|
| |
| Dwarf crocodile | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Clade: | Archosauromorpha |
| Clade: | Archosauriformes |
| Order: | Crocodilia |
| Family: | Crocodylidae |
| Subfamily: | Osteolaeminae |
| Genus: | Osteolaemus Cope, 1861 |
| Type species | |
| Osteolaemus tetraspis Cope, 1861
| |
| Species | |
|
2, see text. | |
Osteolaemus is a genus of crocodiles.[1][2][3] They are small, secretive crocodiles that occur in wetlands of West and Middle Africa. They are commonly known as the African dwarf crocodiles.[2] Unlike other crocodiles, Osteolaemus are strictly nocturnal.[3]
Species
The following species are recognized as being valid.[1]
| Image | Scientific name | Common name | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Osteolaemus osborni Schmidt, 1919 | Osborn's dwarf crocodile | Democratic Republic of Congo |
 |
Osteolaemus tetraspis Cope, 1861 | dwarf crocodile, African dwarf crocodile, broad-snouted crocodile, bony crocodile | West and Middle Africa |
- Nota bene: A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Osteolaemus.
Molecular data suggest that Osteolaemus tetraspis consists of two lineages that would warrant recognition as distinct species.[2]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Osteolaemus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Eaton, Mitchell J.; Martin, Andrew; Thorbjarnarson, John; Amato, George (2009). "Species-level diversification of African dwarf crocodiles (genus Osteolaemus): A geographic and phylogenetic perspective". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 50 (3): 496–506. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2008.11.009.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Vitt, Laurie J.; Caldwell, Janalee P. (2014). Herpetology: An Introductory Biology of Amphibians and Reptiles (4th ed.). Academic Press. pp. 550–552. OCLC 839312807.
Wikidata ☰ Q2233478 entry
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