Boulengerula


Boulengerula is a genus of amphibians in the family Herpelidae. They are found in East Africa. They are sometimes known as Boulenger's caecilians or Usambara bluish-gray caecilians.

Ecology

Boulengerula taitana feeds on earthworms, termites, dipteran larvae and other soil macrofauna. Presumably other Boulengerula have similar diets.

Species

There are eight species:

Morphology

A study described a new species, Boulengerula spawlsi found in the Ngaia Forest Reserve in Kenya. The species is distinguished by anteriorly positioned tentacular apertures and tentacular grooves that are partially or fully covered by the maxillopalatines, a trait not seen in of Boulengerula species. Additional difference in skull morphology was also noticed.