Rediscovery of Boulengerula fischeri , with notes on its morphology and habitat (original) (raw)

2011, African Journal of Herpetology

*Caecilians remain an enigmatic component of the tropical terrestrial fauna due in part to their cryptic life-history but also to a lack of directed effort towards their study. Many species are known from single specimens associated with poor collection data, which has not facilitated recollection. Consequently, nearly two thirds of species are currently considered Data Deficient by the IUCN. Boulengerula fischeri was described from a single specimen deposited onto a car by an unknown collector in 1987, and has defied attempts at relocation for nearly 20 years. Herein we describe a collection of 20 individuals from agricultural land immediately outside Cyamudongo Forest in southwestern Rwanda, around 3 km from the type locality. Adults were found to attain a remarkable maximum length of nearly 400 mm despite being only 4.5 mm wide (maximum elongation index of 102). The range of morphometric and meristic measurements taken include those given for the type specimen, featuring mean annular and vertebral counts of 199.4 and 191.8, respectively. The estimated density of B. fischeri was found to be 50 animals h (1 km (1 and is comparable with other species of Boulengerula. Despite our new collection records, we recommend that this species remains Data Deficient until its range can be better described.

Sign up for access to the world's latest research.

checkGet notified about relevant papers

checkSave papers to use in your research

checkJoin the discussion with peers

checkTrack your impact