Scolecomorphus uluguruensis

Scolecomorphus uluguruensis (common names: Uluguru black caecilian, Nyingwa caecilian), is a species of caecilian in the family Scolecomorphidae. It is endemic to the Uluguru Mountains, Tanzania.[1][2]

Scolecomorphus uluguruensis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Gymnophiona
Clade: Apoda
Family: Scolecomorphidae
Genus: Scolecomorphus
Species:
S. uluguruensis
Binomial name
Scolecomorphus uluguruensis
Barbour and Loveridge, 1928
Synonyms

Scolecomorphus attenuatus Barbour and Loveridge, 1928

Habitat and conservation

Scolecomorphus uluguruensis is a soil-dwelling species that occurs in montane forests at elevations of 1,800–2,050 m (5,910–6,730 ft) above sea level. Presumably, it can also live in secondary habitats such as small-holder agricultural areas. It is viviparous and does not need water bodies for reproduction.[3]

The species has been recorded as locally abundant in the past, and it has also been collected in recent years. It probably suffers from habitat disturbance and conversion caused by deforestation and agricultural intensification, although it is not known whether these constitute significant threats. It occurs in the Uluguru Nature Reserve, but small-holder agriculture is encroaching on the reserve. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has reassessed Scolecomorphus uluguruensis as "Endangered" because it is known only from few locations and there is ongoing habitat loss.[1]

References
  1. IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2016). "Scolecomorphus uluguruensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T59652A16944643. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T59652A16944643.en. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  2. Frost, Darrel R. (2016). "Scolecomorphus uluguruensis Barbour and Loveridge, 1928". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
  3. "Nyingwa Caecilian". EDGE of Existence. Retrieved 2021-02-28.


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