Oscaecilia zweifeli | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Amphibia |
Order: | Gymnophiona |
Clade: | Apoda |
Family: | Caeciliidae |
Genus: | Oscaecilia |
Species: | O. zweifeli
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Binomial name | |
Oscaecilia zweifeli Taylor, 1968
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Oscaecilia zweifeli is a species of caecilian in the family Caeciliidae.[1][2] It is a poorly known species only known from few specimens: the holotype from the imprecise type locality, "a small creek tributary to Río Mazaruni" in Guyana, one from similarly imprecise Cayenne in French Guiana,[1][3] and another one from the Nouragues research station in French Guiana.[4] The specific name zweifeli honors Richard G. Zweifel, an American herpetologist.[5] Common names Zweifel's caecilian[4] and tributary caecilian have been coined for it.[2][5]
Oscaecilia zweifeli is one of the more robust-bodied members of its genus. The body has 202–216 primary annuli.[6] The dorsum is grayish lavender in color, while the belly is whitish and has some gray specks. There is a yellowish spot near the nostril and a yellowish band on the side of the head, terminating at the aperture for the tentacle.[3]
The habitat requirements and ecology of this are poorly known, but it is assumed to be a subterranean species inhabiting lowland tropical forest.[1] Predators of Oscaecilia zweifeli include the giant tarantula Theraphosa blondi: an adult tarantula was found with its caecilian prey under a rotten trunk, and it had produced a silk cocoon around the head of the dead animal, which was already partly digested.[4] Threats to this species are unknown.[1]