Scolecomorphus uluguruensis

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Scolecomorphus uluguruensis
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Gymnophiona
Clade: Apoda
Family: Scolecomorphidae
Genus: Scolecomorphus
Species:
S. uluguruensis
Binomial name
Scolecomorphus uluguruensis
Barbour and Loveridge, 1928
Synonyms

Scolecomorphus attenuatusBarbour and Loveridge, 1928

Scolecomorphus uluguruensis (common names: Uluguru black caecilian, Nyingwa caecilian), is a species of caecilian in the family Scolecomorphidae. It is endemic to the Uluguru Mountains, Tanzania. [1] [2]

Habitat and conservation

Scolecomorphus uluguruensis is a soil-dwelling species that occurs in montane forests at elevations of 1,800–2,050 m (5,910–6,730 ft) above sea level. Presumably, it can also live in secondary habitats such as small-holder agricultural areas. It is viviparous and does not need water bodies for reproduction. [3]

The species has been recorded as locally abundant in the past, and it has also been collected in recent years. It probably suffers from habitat disturbance and conversion caused by deforestation and agricultural intensification, although it is not known whether these constitute significant threats. It occurs in the Uluguru Nature Reserve, but small-holder agriculture is encroaching on the reserve. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has reassessed Scolecomorphus uluguruensis as "Endangered" because it is known only from few locations and there is ongoing habitat loss. [1]

Related Research Articles

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Caecilians are a group of limbless, vermiform or serpentine amphibians. They mostly live hidden in the ground and in stream substrates, making them the least familiar order of amphibians. Caecilians are mostly distributed in the tropics of South and Central America, Africa, and southern Asia. Their diet consists of small subterranean creatures such as earthworms.

Nectophrynoides laevis, the smooth forest toad, is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae.

Nectophrynoides minutus is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is endemic to Tanzania and is known from the Uluguru and Rubeho Mountains. Common names small viviparous toad, minute tree toad, and dwarf forest toad have been proposed for it.

Nectophrynoides pseudotornieri is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is endemic to the Uluguru Mountains in eastern Tanzania. Common names pseudo forest toad and false Tornier's viviparous toad have been proposed for it. Its specific name refers to its similarity to Nectophrynoides tornieri.

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".

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Afrixalus uluguruensis is a species of frog in the family Hyperoliidae. Its common name is Uluguru banana frog. It is endemic to the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania and known from the Kipengere Range, Mahenge, Udzungwa Scarp, Rubeho, North Uluguru, Nguru, Ukaguru, and Nguu Mountains.

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

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

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Uluguru forest tree frog Species of amphibian

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<i>Ichthyophis mindanaoensis</i> Species of amphibian

Ichthyophis mindanaoensis, also known as Todaya caecilian or Mindanao Island caecilian, is a species of caecilian in the family Ichthyophiidae. It is endemic to the island of Mindanao, the Philippines.

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Probreviceps uluguruensis is a species of frog in the family Brevicipitidae. It is endemic to the Uluguru Mountains, Tanzania. Common names Uluguru big-fingered frog and Uluguru forest frog have been proposed for it.

Phrynobatrachus uzungwensis is a species of frogs in the family Phrynobatrachidae. It is endemic to eastern Tanzania and is known from the Udzungwa, Uluguru, Nguu, and Nguru Mountains. Common names Ukinga puddle frog and Udzungwa puddle frog have been coined for this species.

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 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 vittatus, the banded caecilian, is a species of caecilian in the family Scolecomorphidae, endemic to Tanzania. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, plantations, rural gardens, and heavily degraded former forests.

References

  1. 1 2 3 IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2016). "Scolecomorphus uluguruensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T59652A16944643. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T59652A16944643.en . Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  2. Frost, Darrel R. (2016). "Scolecomorphus uluguruensis Barbour and Loveridge, 1928". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
  3. "Nyingwa Caecilian". EDGE of Existence. Retrieved 2021-02-28.