Schistometopum gregorii
Scientific classification Edit this classification
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 gregorii Boulenger, 1895 "1894"
Bdellophis unicolor Boettger, 1913

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]

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.
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