Uraeotyphlus oxyurus

Uraeotyphlus oxyurus, also known as the red caecilian, sharp-nosed caecilian, dark-brown caecilian, pale-throated caecilian, or harp-tailed caecilian, is a species of caecilian in the family Ichthyophiidae.[1][2] It is endemic to the Western Ghats in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, southern India.[2]

Uraeotyphlus oxyurus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Gymnophiona
Clade: Apoda
Family: Ichthyophiidae
Genus: Uraeotyphlus
Species:
U. oxyurus
Binomial name
Uraeotyphlus oxyurus
(Duméril and Bibron, 1841)
Synonyms[2]

Caecilia oxyura Duméril and Bibron, 1841

Description

This species has a relatively thick body, a narrow head, and a short tail. It can grow to 300 mm (11.8 in) in total length,[3][4] including the tail (up to 7.5 mm (0.3 in)). Its body is dark brown with a whitish tail tip. The chin and throat are light brown. Its eyes are very small but distinct and surrounded by a white ring. The tentacles are placed close to and below the nostrils, which are visible from above.[3]

Habitat and conservation

Uraeotyphlus oxyurus is a fossorial species that is associated with humus-rich, loose, moist soil. It has been recorded from moist evergreen forest, agricultural land, and rural gardens at elevations up to 1,500 m (4,900 ft) above sea level. It is probably oviparous and has terrestrial eggs and aquatic larvae.[1]

Threats to this species are poorly understood. Potential threats include habitat destruction, although it appears to be adaptable. Also the use of agrochemicals, changes in soil chemistry, and collection of humus by local people might be threats. Uraeotyphlus oxyurus possibly occurs in the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary.[1]

References
  1. Sushil Dutta, Gopalakrishna Bhatta, David Gower, Oommen V. Oommen, Mark Wilkinson (2004). "Uraeotyphlus oxyurus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2004: e.T59658A11965831. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T59658A11965831.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. Frost, Darrel R. (2020). "Uraeotyphlus oxyurus (Duméril and Bibron, 1841)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  3. Bhatta, Gopalakrishna (1998). "A field guide to the caecilians of the Western Ghats, India". Journal of Biosciences. 23 (1): 73–85. doi:10.1007/BF02728526. S2CID 29374045.
  4. Venkataraman, K.; Chattopadhyay, A. & Subramanian, K.A., eds. (2013). Endemic Animals of India (Vertebrates). Kolkata: Zoological Survey of India. 235 pp.+26 plates. [Uraeotyphlus oxyurus: p. 137]
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