| Dermophis oaxacae | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Gymnophiona |
| Clade: | Apoda |
| Family: | Dermophiidae |
| Genus: | Dermophis |
| Species: | D. oaxacae |
| Binomial name | |
| Dermophis oaxacae (Mertens, 1930) | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Dermophis oaxacae, also knownOaxacan caecilian, is a species ofcaecilian in the familyDermophiidae. It isendemic to southwesternMexico and occurs on the Pacific slopes and theBalsas depression in the states ofJalisco,Michoacán,Guerrero,Oaxaca, andChiapas.[2][3]
Dermophis oaxacae is a relatively large caecilian with a reported maximum total length of 454 mm (17.9 in). It has 119–139 primary and 101–133 secondaryannuli; these high counts distinguish it from all otherDermophis.[3][4] The body is somewhat robust and the head is relatively large. The mouth is subterminal. The eyes are visible through a layer of skin. Living animals have blue-black coloration.[3] The annular grooves are ventrally marked with dark pigment, in sharp contrast to the otherwise pale venter.[3][4]
Dermophis oaxacae occurs in semi-deciduous tropical forests[1] at elevations up to 2,100 m (6,900 ft)above sea level.[3] It is a subterranean species. It is probablyviviparous.[1][3]
Dermophis oaxacae is a poorly known species with few recent observations.[1][5] It is unknown to which degree deforestation is a threat to it.[1]
