Boulengerula niedeni

Last updated

Boulengerula niedeni
Boulengerula niedeni 55039.jpg
B. niedeni in Taita–Taveta, Kenya
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Gymnophiona
Clade: Apoda
Family: Herpelidae
Genus: Boulengerula
Species:
B. niedeni
Binomial name
Boulengerula niedeni
Müller, Measey, Loader & Malonza, 2005

Boulengerula niedeni, the Sagalla caecilian, is a worm-like amphibian first described in 2005. The species was described from a specimen discovered on Sagala Hill, an isolated mountain block of the Taita Hills in Kenya, and is not known from other areas. [2]

Contents

Little of the original forest remains on Sagalla Hill, but the species seems to adapt to human disturbance associated with small-scale farming activities; it is not found in the eucalyptus plantations that cover much of the hill. Because of the small range of this species, it is as of 2013 listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, while previously from 2006 been listed as critically endangered. [1] It has been listed as one of the top-10 "focal species" in 2008 by the Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) project.

Description

The Sagalla caecilian is a caecilian, a highly unusual group of amphibians characterized by an elongated, limbless, externally segmented body, closely resembling that of a large earthworm. Depending on the micro-habitat the amphibian is found its color may vary. When found in areas with shade and high altitude they tend to be a dark brown while when found in lower elevations they tend to be a light brown with some traces of blue. [3] Meanwhile, the bodies of juveniles only have a long, dark, narrow band on its back, and otherwise are not pigmented. [4]

Unlike earthworms, caecilians possess a prominent mouth, nostrils, and, uniquely amongst vertebrates, a pair of retractable tentacles, one on each side of the head, between the eye and nostril. The snout of the Sagalla caecilian is rounded, with short, globular tentacles, and a relatively large mouth, with two rows of teeth in each jaw. The eyes in some are highly reduced, and, sometimes, almost entirely covered by bone and skin. The eyes may form like this due to the lack of need for vision, beyond sensing light, while digging. [4] [5]

Range

The Sagalla caecilian can be found mainly in low density farms and patches of indigenous forests on Sagala Hill. They are limited to an altitude of 1000–1504 meters above sea level [4] on Sagalla Hill as it is difficult for the species to expand to higher/lower (and therefore newer) land; they are restricted by rocky mountains with less vegetation on one side and arid climates on the other. [4] [3] Besides their altitude they are only found on a patch of land that has an area of 20 km2. This area is roughly half the size of Manhattan. [4]

Habitat

The forest in the Sagala Hill is ideal for Sagalla caecilian because of the large population of evergreen trees, which are a major source of food for the species. Besides the logs of these trees the Sagalla caecilian can be found in the rich soil, under organic debris, or on the edges of streams and other bodies of water. [6] The Sagalla caecilian must be kept near water because its skin requires it to be moist at all times. Also, it can find its prey in the moist soil and stay hidden from predators. Unlike other worms, the Sagalla caecilian does not need the moisture to help with reproduction. The forest and the farms must be at an altitude of 1,000-1,500 meters above sea level for the worm to survive. This altitude is preferred because the temperatures are cooler and the Sagalla caecilian will not be dehydrated when on the decomposing litter on the surface. [6]

Threats

This species is significantly confined to a certain location as well as being restricted in distribution. The region which it is found in Kenya, Sagalla Hill, suffers from a declining size and quality of the habitat. Furthermore, as a result of the development of eucalyptus plantations in the area, the soil is dry and compact making it unsuitable for the survival of the Sagalla caecillian. The smooth bark eucalyptus are more of a threat because they tend to extract more water from the soil than the rough barked ones. Another factor that threatens the species is deforestation for the expansion of farming land area. Due to lack of vegetation especially along the streams, there is less protection against flooding and erosion; hence, the caecillian species are made vulnerable. [7] [8]

Conservation

Since the Sagalla caecilian is a recently discovered species, much is still unknown. However, it is not known to appear in any protected areas, like national parks or conservations. [9] This particular species is seen as an indicator for rich soil, so efforts have been made in order to improve the quality of the land. [9] While Boulengerula niedeni has not been targeted specifically through conservation initiatives, the attempts to better the soil are often coupled with studies of amphibian diversity. [10] In addition, a competition was organised for the people of the small Sagalla community to find a new name for the Sagalla caecilian in the local dialect, kisagalla. [10] Conservationists had done this in order to make the species more relatable to the local people. Patrick Malonza of the National Museums of Kenya (co-describer of this species and one of the organizers of the competition) explained the importance of naming the species locally:

"If the animal has a local kisagalla name, we think that Sagalla people may recognize it for the special endemic species that it is. They have something unique to be proud of." [11]

The Zoological Society of London's "EDGE (Evolutionarily Distinct & Globally Endangered) of Existence" campaign has begun working to establish a caecilian preserve and restore habitat for the species. [11] Since Sagalla Hill is considered a biodiversity hotspot, many other organizations also have stakes in the area. [11] However, little is being done specifically for the Sagalla caecilian. Some priorities for the Sagalla caecilian's conservation include: stabilizing the soil by restoring vegetation and improving agricultural practices, careful replacement of eucalyptus plantations with indigenous trees, working with local communities, and continuing to study the caecilian's ecology. [10] Work is being done in order to train field assistants on how to properly implement these changes. [9]

Related Research Articles

<i>Callulina</i> Genus of amphibians

Callulina is a small genus of frogs in the family Brevicipitidae with nine members in Tanzania and Kenya. Originally Callulina was thought to be monotypic and widely distributed through Eastern Arc Mountains in Tanzania and in southern Kenya. However, within the last decade eight new species has been identified, the majority of which are considered critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taita Hills</span>

The Taita Hills, sometimes also spelled as Teita Hills, are a mountain range located in the Taita-Taveta County in south-eastern Kenya. The hills consist of three massifs: Dawida, Sagalla in the southern side of Voi township and Kasigau in the south near the border of Tanzania. The Dawida massif is the largest and tallest of the three, with an altitude of 2,228 metres (7,310 ft) above sea level at its highest peak, Vuria. Dawida has three other main peaks: Iyale, Wesu, and Susu.

<i>Boulengerula taitana</i> Species of amphibian

Boulengerula taitana is a species of caecilian. It is endemic to the Taita Hills region of southeast Kenya. Boulengerula taitana are unique caecilians in appearance, fertilization type, and parental care. From their similar shape and presentation to worms, and their internalized fertilization, they set themselves apart from many other amphibians. D. taitana interactions between mothers and newly hatched young is unique in that the mother uses her own skin as a food resource for offspring. This species also has physiological adaptations in place to increase oxygen uptake and affinity to fit their underground lifestyle. The Boulengerula taitana differentiates itself from its close relatives in ways rarely documented and researched before.

Boulengerula boulengeri is a species of amphibian in the family Herpelidae. It is endemic to the Usambara Mountains, Tanzania. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, arable land, plantations, rural gardens, and heavily degraded former forest. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Boulengerula changamwensis, the Changamwe caecilian, is a species of amphibian in the family Herpelidae. It is also known as Changamwensis African caecilian and Changamwe lowland caecilian. It is found in southern Kenya and Malawi, and possibly in the intervening Tanzania and Mozambique.

Boulengerula denhardti is a species of amphibian in the family Herpelidae. It is endemic to Kenya. It is only known from its type locality, the Tana River valley, as well as from the Ngaia Forest, Meru County. It is named for German explorer brothers Clemens Denhardt and Gustav Denhardt who explored the area where it was discovered. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and heavily degraded former forest. It is threatened by habitat loss, expanding agriculture, use of herbicides and pesticides and expanding human settlements.

<i>Boulengerula fischeri</i> Species of amphibian

Boulengerula fischeri is a species of caecilian in the family Herpelidae. It is endemic to Rwanda and only known from around its type locality near Cyangugu, southwestern Rwanda. The specific name fischeri honours Eberhard Fischer, a German botanist who has worked with Rwandan fauna and flora. Common name Fischer's African caecilian has been coined for it. Live animals have the appearance of "live pink spaghetti".

Boulengerula uluguruensis, the Uluguru pink caecilian or Uluguru African caecilian, is a species of amphibian in the family Caeciliidae. It is endemic to Tanzania where it is found in the Nguu, Nguru, and Uluguru Mountains. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, rural gardens, and heavily degraded former forest.

<i>Chthonerpeton indistinctum</i> Species of amphibian

Chthonerpeton indistinctum is a species of caecilian in the family Typhlonectidae. It is found in northeastern Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and southeastern Brazil. The common name Argentine caecilian has been coined for it.

<i>Schistometopum thomense</i> Species of amphibian

Schistometopum thomense is a species of amphibian in the family Dermophiidae, endemic to São Tomé and Ilhéu das Rolas. It is found in most soils on São Tomé, from tropical moist lowland forests to coastal coconut plantations. It is absent only from the driest northern areas of the island. It is typically around 30 cm (12 in) in length, and is often bright yellow. The size of S. thomense can vary throughout São Tomé, however, and it is the only known caecilian to follow Bergmann's rule, which states that a decreasing temperature due to factors such as increasing altitude will cause an increase in the body size of endothermic vertebrate species. The island of São Tomé is a massive shield volcano, and it therefore has differing altitudes throughout the island, potentially resulting in the size diversity of S. thomense. This species may be referred to as the São Tomé caecilian, as the Agua Ize caecilian, or as the island caecilian, or by the local name of cobra bobo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Betic midwife toad</span> Species of frog

The Betic midwife toad or Sapo Partero Bético is a species of frog in the family Alytidae. It is endemic to mountainous in south eastern Spain. Its natural habitats are temperate forests, freshwater marshes, intermittent freshwater marshes, pastureland, ponds, and aquaculture ponds. It is threatened by habitat loss.

<i>Crotaphatrema bornmuelleri</i> Species of amphibian

Crotaphatrema bornmuelleri is a species of caecilian in the family Scolecomorphidae. It is endemic to Cameroon. The specific name bornmuelleri honours Joseph Friedrich Nicolaus Bornmüller, a German botanist. Common names Bornmuller's caecilian and Bornmüller's caecilian have been coined for it.

Rhinatrema nigrum, the black caecilian, is a species of caecilian in the family Rhinatrematidae found in Guyana, Venezuela, and possibly Brazil. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, rivers, and intermittent rivers.

<i>Scolecomorphus uluguruensis</i> Species of amphibian

Scolecomorphus uluguruensis, is a species of caecilian in the family Scolecomorphidae. It is endemic to the Uluguru Mountains, Tanzania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wildlife of São Tomé and Príncipe</span>

The wildlife of São Tomé and Príncipe is composed of its flora and fauna. São Tomé and Príncipe are oceanic islands which have always been separate from mainland West Africa and so there is a relatively low diversity of species, restricted to those that have managed to cross the sea to the islands. However the level of endemism is high with many species occurring nowhere else in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wildlife of Rwanda</span>

The wildlife of Rwanda comprising its flora and fauna, in prehistoric times, consisted of montane forest in one third the territory of present-day Rwanda. However, natural vegetation is now mostly restricted to the three national parks and four small forest reserves, with terraced agriculture dominating the rest of the country.

<i>Raorchestes chlorosomma</i> Species of amphibian

Raorchestes chlorosomma is a frog in the genus Raorchestes. The common name is the green-eyed bushfrog.

<i>Callulina dawida</i> Species of amphibian

Callulina dawida, also known as Taita warty frog, is a species of frogs in the family Brevicipitidae. It is endemic to Kenya, where it is only found in severely fragmented montane forests in Taita Hills in the south-eastern part of the country. Originally Callulina was thought to be monotypic and widely distributed through Eastern Arc Mountains in Tanzania and in southern Kenya. However, within the last decade eight new species have been identified, many which are considered critically endangered by IUCN. C. dawida was described in 2009 by a team led by Simon Loader; it received its specific name after Dawida language, which is spoken in Taita Hills.

Boulengerula spawlsi is a species of caecilian in the family Herpelidae. It is endemic to Kenya and only know from the vicinity of its type locality, Ngaia Forest Reserve, in the Nyambene Hills, Meru County; the type locality is also spelled "Ngaya" or "Ngaja". The specific name spawlsi honours Stephen Spawls who first collected this species and who has contributed substantially to African herpetology. Common name Spawls' boolee has been coined for it.

The Wray Memorial Museum, sometimes called the Sagalla Cultural Museum, is a museum located in Teri, Kenya, and is dedicated to displaying religious artifacts. The museum also exhibits cultural artifacts from the Sagalla community.

References

  1. 1 2 IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2013). "Boulengerula niedeni". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2013: e.T61920A13322136. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-2.RLTS.T61920A13322136.en . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ↑ Frost, Darrel R. (2014). "Boulengerula niedeni Müller, Measey, Loader, and Malonza, 2005". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  3. 1 2 Malonza, Patrick (July 2012). Conservation education for the Critically Endangered Sagalla Caecilian (PDF) (Report). The Mohammed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-10-29. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "EDGE: 3. Sagalla Caecilian (Boulengerula niedeni)" . Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  5. ↑ Loader, Simon P.; David J. Gower; Mark Wilkinson (2003). "Caecilians: Mysterious Amphibians of the Eastern Arc Mountains". Arc Journal (15).
  6. 1 2 Malonza, Patrick; Veith, M. (2012). "Amphibian community along elevational and habitat disturbance gradients in the Taita Hills, Kenya". Herpetotropicos. 7 (1–2): 7–16. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  7. ↑ Measey, John. "Sagalla caecilian (Boulengerula niedeni)". Arkive. Archived from the original on 2013-10-29. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
  8. ↑ Molanza, Patrick (2005). "Conservation Education for the Critically Endangered Sagalla Caecilian Boulengerula Niedeni": 16–17.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  9. 1 2 3 Wojnowski, D.; Malonza, P.K. (2009). "Kilima-Mrota is not a worm: the effect of conservation education and a local naming contest on the perspectives held by the peoples of Sagalla Hill, Kenya towards the Sagalla caecilian Boulengerula niedeni". Journal of East African Natural History. 98 (2): 241–248. doi:10.2982/028.098.0205. S2CID   84217259.
  10. 1 2 3 Gower, David; Mark Wilkinson (2005). "Conservation biology of caecilian amphibians". Conservation Biology. 19 (1): 45–55. doi:10.1111/j.1523-1739.2005.00589.x. S2CID   55436159.
  11. 1 2 3 Mwang'ombe Mwamodenyi, James. "EDGE of Existence" . Retrieved 22 October 2013.

http://eol.org/pages/4359459/details

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.