Chthonerpeton exile
South America·Viviparity (presumed)·Data Deficient·Brazil (imprecise type locality: Bahia)
Chthonerpeton exile is a species of caecilian found exclusively in Brazil, known only from a single, now-lost specimen. Its specific name, 'exile', reflects its slender and delicate body shape, and it is also known by the common name Bahia caecilian. Little is documented about its habitat or population status.
Key Facts
- ›Endemic to Brazil, with its type locality being imprecisely recorded as 'Bahia'.
- ›Only one specimen, an adult female, is known to exist and has since been lost.
- ›Characterized by a slender, delicate body and head, as indicated by its specific name 'exile'.
- ›The holotype measured 250 MM in length and was dorsoventrally compressed, particularly towards the tail.
- ›It possesses 88 primary annuli (segments) and its eyes are covered by epidermis, not directly visible.
- ›Coloration in life is presumed to be slate-gray dorsally, grading to a paler brown ventrally.
Lowland Moist Forest
Bahia Caecilian
About Chthonerpeton exile
Chthonerpeton exile is a species of caecilian, a type of limbless amphibian belonging to the family Typhlonectidae. This species is endemic to Brazil, with its exact location imprecisely recorded as 'Bahia'. Currently, only one specimen of Chthonerpeton exile is known to have been collected, and this specimen has since been lost. The species' scientific name, 'exile', is derived from the Latin word 'exilis', referring to the relatively slender and delicate form of its body and head.
Description and Discovery
The only known specimen of Chthonerpeton exile was an adult female that measured 250 mm (9.8 inches) in total length. Its body was notably slender and dorsoventrally compressed, meaning it was flattened from top to bottom, with this flattening becoming distinct towards the tail. The body width was approximately 8 mm (0.3 inches). The caecilian exhibits 88 primary annuli, which are segmented rings along its body. Its snout is described as bluntly rounded from a dorsal perspective and flattened laterally. The eyes are oriented dorsolaterally and are covered by the epidermis, rendering them not directly visible. When the epidermis is intact, the coloration of Chthonerpeton exile is described as slate-gray, though where the outer skin layer has been lost, the color transitions from a rich brown dorsally to a paler brown ventrally. The skin is characterized by the presence of numerous glands throughout the body.
Habitat and Conservation Status
Information regarding the habitat of Chthonerpeton exile is scarce. The type locality, 'Bahia', is imprecise, and no details about its preferred environment have been documented. It is presumed to be a subterranean species, potentially inhabiting lowland moist forests. Due to the limited data available, including the loss of the sole known specimen and the lack of information on its population status and threats, Chthonerpeton exile is considered to be Data Deficient by the IUCN. Its reproductive strategy is also not definitively known, though viviparity (giving birth to live young) is suspected.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chthonerpeton exile?
Chthonerpeton exile is a species of caecilian, a type of limbless amphibian. It belongs to the family Typhlonectidae and is endemic to Brazil.
Where is Chthonerpeton exile found?
This species is endemic to Brazil. However, its precise location is imprecisely known, with the type locality only recorded as 'Bahia'.
What does the name 'Chthonerpeton exile' mean?
The specific name 'exile' comes from the Latin word 'exilis', which refers to the relatively slender and delicate shape of the body and head of this caecilian.
How large is Chthonerpeton exile?
The only known specimen was an adult female that measured 250 mm (9.8 inches) in total length. Its body was slender and measured 8 mm (0.3 inches) wide.
What is known about the habitat of Chthonerpeton exile?
There is no specific information available regarding the habitat of Chthonerpeton exile. It is presumed to be a subterranean species, possibly inhabiting lowland moist forests.
What is the conservation status of Chthonerpeton exile?
The population status and any threats to Chthonerpeton exile are currently unknown. Consequently, its conservation status has not been assessed.
Related Caecilian species
Chthonerpeton viviparum
Chthonerpeton viviparum, also known as the Santa Catarina caecilian, is an aquatic species of caecilian found exclusively in the vicinity of Joinville, in eastern Santa Catarina State, Brazil. Its ecology and specific habitat requirements are not well-documented, but it is known to inhabit standing bodies of water.
Caecilia tentaculata
Caecilia tentaculata is a species of caecilian, a type of limbless amphibian, belonging to the Caeciliidae family. This species is native to the neotropical region, inhabiting moist forests, plantations, and gardens across several South American countries. It is distinguished by its serpentine body and its adaptation to both terrestrial and semi-aquatic environments, though it is primarily fossorial.
Common yellow-banded caecilian
The Common yellow-banded caecilian, also known as the Ceylon caecilian, is a species of caecilian endemic to Sri Lanka. It is characterized by its earthworm-like appearance, with steely blue and pale yellow coloration and a distinctive yellow band along its sides. This adaptable species inhabits moist tropical and subtropical forests and pastures, where it burrows in damp earth or leaf litter.