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Dermophis occidentalis

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Dermophis occidentalis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Gymnophiona
Clade: Apoda
Family: Dermophiidae
Genus: Dermophis
Species:
D. occidentalis
Binomial name
Dermophis occidentalis
Taylor, 1955[2]

Dermophis occidentalis is a species of caecilian in the family Dermophiidae.[3][4] It is endemic to south-western Costa Rica and occurs in the Pacific lowlands and premontane slopes, extending to the western part of the central valley. Its taxonomic status is unclear.[1]

Description

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Dermophis occidentalis is a small-sized caecilian measuring 192–235 mm (7.6–9.3 in) in total length. It has 95–112 primary and 29–37 secondary annuli.[5] The body is slender,[2] with its length 30 to 32 times the body width.[5]). The head is narrow and light grayish tan in color. The body is dorsally lavender plumbeous, turning lighter ventrally.[2]

Habitat and conservation

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Dermophis occidentalis occurs in lowland and submontane rainforests at elevations of 365–970 m (1,198–3,182 ft) above sea level. It is a subterranean species that can be found under logs and in leaf litter. It is viviparous.[1]

Dermophis occidentalis is a poorly known species. Deforestation might be a threat to it. Its range overlaps with the Corcovado National Park, among others.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2020). "Dermophis occidentalis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T59547A3078612. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T59547A3078612.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Taylor, E. H. (1955). "Additions to the known herpetological fauna of Costa Rica with comments on other species. No. II". University of Kansas Science Bulletin. 37: 499–575. doi:10.5962/bhl.part.1591.
  3. ^ Frost, Darrel R. (2018). "Dermophis occidentalis Taylor, 1955". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  4. ^ "Dermophiidae". AmphibiaWeb. University of California, Berkeley. 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  5. ^ a b Savage, J. M. & Wake, M. H. (2001). "Reevaluation of the status of taxa of Central American caecilians (Amphibia: Gymnophiona), with comments on their origin and evolution". Copeia. 2001: 52–64. doi:10.1643/0045-8511(2001)001[0052:ROTSOT]2.0.CO;2.