Schistometopum gregorii

Last updated

Schistometopum gregorii
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Gymnophiona
Clade: Apoda
Family: Dermophiidae
Genus: Schistometopum
Species:
S. gregorii
Binomial name
Schistometopum gregorii
(Boulenger, 1895)
Synonyms [2]

Dermophis gregoriiBoulenger, 1895 "1894"
Bdellophis unicolorBoettger, 1913

Contents

Schistometopum gregorii, also known as Witu caecilian, mud-dwelling caecilian, and flood-plain-dwelling caecilian, is a species of amphibian in the family Dermophiidae from East Africa. [1] [2]

Distribution

Schistometopum gregorii is endemic to the coastal East Africa in Kenya and Tanzania; it is known from the Tana River Delta area in Kenya (its type locality) and between Bagamoyo and Rufiji River in Tanzania. [2] It is possible that the Kenyan and Tanzanian populations are distinct species. [1]

Etymology

The specific name gregorii honours John Walter Gregory, a British geologist and explorer [3] and the collector of the holotype. [4]

Description

Schistometopum gregorii is glossy black dorsolaterally and somewhat lighter ventrally. There are 110–119 primary annuli (ring-shaped folds). Kenyan males measure 141–336 mm (5.6–13.2 in) (mean 247 mm) and females 152–350 mm (6.0–13.8 in) (mean 260 mm) in total length. [4]

Habitat and conservation

The species has been found in black mud near rivers and agricultural areas (e.g., rice paddies). There are no known major threats affecting this ecologically poorly known species. Because it occurs in cultivated areas it is likely able to tolerate disturbance. [1]

Related Research Articles

<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.

<i>Sclerophrys garmani</i> Species of amphibian

Sclerophrys garmani, also known as Garman's toad or eastern olive toad, is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is widely distributed in East and Southern Africa. However, populations north and south of Tanzania might represent distinct species. If so, the name Sclerophrys garmani would apply to populations from northeastern Africa. Furthermore, its southern boundary towards the range of Sclerophrys poweri in South Africa is also unclear.

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.

<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".

<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.

Sylvacaecilia is a monotypic genus of caecilian in the family Grandisoniidae. The only species is Sylvacaecilia grandisonae, also known as the Aleku caecilian or Ethiopian caecilian. It is endemic to southwestern Ethiopia and known from the Gambela, Oromia, and Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Regions.

<i>Hyperolius mitchelli</i> Species of amphibian

Hyperolius mitchelli is a species of frogs in the family Hyperoliidae. It is found in the area between northeastern Tanzania, Malawi, and central Mozambique.

<i>Leptopelis argenteus</i> Species of amphibian

Leptopelis argenteus, also known as the silvery tree frog or triad tree frog, is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is found in coastal Kenya and Tanzania and south to northern Mozambique, southern Malawi, and eastern highlands of Zimbabwe.

<i>Leptopelis flavomaculatus</i> Species of amphibian

Leptopelis flavomaculatus is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is found in the lowlands eastern and southern Africa, from Mozambique north of the Save River and Zimbabwe to Malawi, eastern Tanzania, and coastal Kenya. Its common names are yellow-spotted tree frog, brown-backed tree frog, brown forest treefrog, and Johnston's treefrog.

Phrynobatrachus rungwensis is a species of frog in the family Phrynobatrachidae. It is found in southeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, central and northern Malawi, and east to southern and central Tanzania. It is also expected to occur in northeastern Zambia. Common names Rungwe puddle frog and Rungwe river frog have been coined for it. It is named after Mount Rungwe, its type locality.

Phrynobatrachus ukingensis is a species of frog in the family Phrynobatrachidae. It is recorded in several places in southern and eastern Tanzania and in northern and southern Malawi ; it probably occurs more widely, at least in areas in between the known localities. Common names Ukinga puddle frog and Ukinga river frog have been coined for it.

<i>Amietia wittei</i> Species of frog

Amietia wittei is a species of frog in the family Pyxicephalidae. It is found in Kenya and Tanzania, including Mount Elgon in the Kenya/Uganda border region. Its type locality is in Molo, Kenya, located near the top of the Mau Escarpment. The specific name wittei honours Gaston-François de Witte, a Belgian naturalist.

<i>Chiromantis petersii</i> Species of frog

Chiromantis petersii is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is found in Kenya and Tanzania and is broadly distributed in the inland areas of both countries. Chiromantis kelleri was previously considered subspecies of Chiromantis petersii, but is currently recognized as a distinct species. These two species are sympatric in northern Kenya.

Crotaphatrema lamottei, the Mount Oku caecilian or Lamotte's caecilian, is a species of caecilian in the family Scolecomorphidae. It is endemic to Mount Oku in Cameroon. The specific name lamottei honours Maxime Lamotte, French biologist. There is some doubt whether Crotaphatrema tchabalmbaboensis really is distinct from this species.

Crotaphatrema tchabalmbaboensis is a species of caecilian in the family Scolecomorphidae, the tropical or African caecilians. It was discovered in 1997 on Mount Tchabal Mbabo in the Adamawa Plateau, western Cameroon, and described as a new species to science in 2000. Three specimens were collected at the type locality, and no individuals have been observed since.

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

Scolecomorphus kirkii is a species of caecilian in the family Scolecomorphidae. It is known from southern Malawi east of the Shire River, northern Mozambique, and Tanzania ; the known distribution is discontinuous but the species is expected to occur in the intervening areas.

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">Hildegarde's shrew</span> Species of mammal

Hildegarde's shrew is a species of mammal in the family Soricidae. It is found in Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania. Considered by some authorities to be a subspecies of Crocidura gracilipes, it is now recognised as a separate species, with a diploid chromosome number of 2n = 52. This is one of three species of small mammal named by the British zoologist Oldfield Thomas in honour of anthropologist Hildegarde Beatrice Hinde.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Decken's horseshoe bat</span> Species of bat

Decken's horseshoe bat is a species of horseshoe bat. It is found in Kenya and Tanzania. Its natural habitats are tropica and subtropical moist lowland and montane forest, moist savanna, caves and other subterranean habitats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dermophiidae</span> Family of amphibians

The Dermophiidae are a family of common caecilians. They are found in Central and South America, and Africa. Like other caecilians, they superficially resemble worms or snakes.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2016). "Schistometopum gregorii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T59591A16958275. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T59591A16958275.en . Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Frost, Darrel R. (2016). "Schistometopum gregorii (Boulenger, 1895)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  3. Bo Beolens; Michael Watkins; Michael Grayson (22 April 2013). The Eponym Dictionary of Amphibians. Pelagic Publishing. p. 84. ISBN   978-1-907807-44-2.
  4. 1 2 Nussbaum, R. A.; Pfrender, M. E. (1998). "Revision of the African caecilian genus Schistometopum Parker (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Caeciliidae)". Miscellaneous Publications. 187: 1–32. hdl:2027.42/56430.