Dermophis


Dermophis is a genus of worm-like amphibians in the family Dermophiidae, the Neotropical and Tropical African caecilians. They are found in the Middle [America (Americas)|Middle America] between southern Mexico and northwestern Colombia. Common names Mexican caecilians or Neotropical caecilians are sometimes used for them.

Species

The genus has seven species:

Description

The largest species, Dermophis mexicanus, can grow to a total length of, while the smallest one, Dermophis parviceps, reaches only. The body has numerous folds, from 97 to 258, with considerable variations both between individuals within a species and between the species. There is a tentacle about halfway between eye and nostril. The lower jaw has only one row of teeth. Living specimens are very dark purple to purple-black above and creamy white below.
Based on external morphology, three groups of species can be recognized:
  1. large caecilians with numerous secondary folds: D. mexicanus and D. oaxacae
  2. moderate-sized caecilians with numerous secondary folds: D. costaricense, D. glandulosus, D. gracilior
  3. small to moderate-sized caecilians with few secondary folds: D. occidentalis, ''D. parviceps''