Oscaecilia zweifeli is a species of caecilian in the family Caeciliidae.[1][2] It is a poorly known species only known from few specimens: the holotype from the imprecise type locality, "a small creek tributary to Río Mazaruni" in Guyana, one from similarly imprecise Cayenne in French Guiana,[1][3] and another one from the Nouragues research station in French Guiana.[4] The specific name zweifeli honors Richard G. Zweifel, an American herpetologist.[5] Common names Zweifel's caecilian[4] and tributary caecilian have been coined for it.[2][5]
| Oscaecilia zweifeli | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Gymnophiona |
| Clade: | Apoda |
| Family: | Caeciliidae |
| Genus: | Oscaecilia |
| Species: | O. zweifeli
|
| Binomial name | |
| Oscaecilia zweifeli Taylor, 1968
| |
Description
editOscaecilia zweifeli is one of the more robust-bodied members of its genus. The body has 202–216 primary annuli.[6] The dorsum is grayish lavender in color, while the belly is whitish and has some gray specks. There is a yellowish spot near the nostril and a yellowish band on the side of the head, terminating at the aperture for the tentacle.[3]
Habitat, ecology, and conservation
editThe habitat requirements and ecology of this are poorly known, but it is assumed to be a subterranean species inhabiting lowland tropical forest.[1] Predators of Oscaecilia zweifeli include the giant tarantula Theraphosa blondi: an adult tarantula was found with its caecilian prey under a rotten trunk, and it had produced a silk cocoon around the head of the dead animal, which was already partly digested.[4] Threats to this species are unknown.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2018). "Oscaecilia zweifeli". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T59586A120421421. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T59586A120421421.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ a b Frost, Darrel R. (2019). "Oscaecilia zweifeli Taylor, 1968". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
- ^ a b Cole, Charles J.; Townsend, Carol R.; Reynolds, Robert P.; MacCulloch, Ross D. & Lathrop, Amy (2013). "Amphibians and reptiles of Guyana, South America: illustrated keys, annotated species accounts, and a biogeographic synopsis". Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington. 125 (4): 317–578. doi:10.2988/0006-324X-125.4.317. S2CID 86665287.
- ^ a b c Boistel, R. & Pauwels, O. S. G. (2002). "Oscaecilia zweifeli (Zweifel's caecilian). Predation" (PDF). Herpetological Review. 33 (1): 120–121.
- ^ a b Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael & Grayson, Michael (2013). The Eponym Dictionary of Amphibians. Pelagic Publishing. p. 241. ISBN 978-1-907807-42-8.
- ^ Lahanas, Pete N. & Savage, Jay M. (1992). "A new species of caecilian from the Península de Osa of Costa Rica". Copeia. 1992 (3): 703–708. doi:10.2307/1446146. JSTOR 1446146.