Common names:
Two-lined Caecilian [1].
Classification:
Kingdom - Animalia
Phylum - Chordata
Class - Amphibia
Order - Gymnophiona
Family - Rhinatrematidae
Species - Rhinatrema shiv
Distribution:
Rhinatrema shiv is only found in one area in Guyana, the Kaieteur National Park, giving it a range of 777km2 (Figure 2) [1]. It has been found at five locations within the park [1]. It has been reported elsewhere but this has not been substantiated [1].
Details:
The Two-lined Caecilian is a soil-dwelling species, living in the soil of sub-montane forest [1]. At night it is active above the soil surface all year round [1]. Breeding occurs terrestrially, eggs are laid in the soil and the larvae hatch there [1]. This species was knew to science around 10 years ago, and is found to be limbless with pale horizontal stripes ad similar coloured patches on the head and sides [2]. Little is known about this species but it is very rare and the population is thought to be declining [1].
Threats to the species:
Mining [1].
Similar species:
References:
[1] IUCN Red List. (2018). Two-lined Caecilian, Rhinatrema shiv. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/21567318/21567322. [Accessed 5 May 2019].
[2] Maciel, A. O., Hoogmoed, M. S. and Peloso, P. L. V. (2012) ‘Variation in the glossal skeleton arrangement of Rhinatrema ron (Gymnophiona: Rhinatrematidae) and its systematic implications’, Salamandra, 48(4), pp. 224–226.
Photo: Gower, D. et al. (2010) ‘A new species of Rhinatrema Duméril & Bibron (Amphibia : Gymnophiona: Rhinatrematidae) From Guyana’, Zootaxa, 2391, pp. 47–60.
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