Editorial Type:
Article Category: Article Commentary
 | 
Online Publication Date: 01 Feb 2001

Reevaluation of the Status of Taxa of Central American Caecilians (Amphibia: Gymnophiona), with Comments on Their Origin and Evolution

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Page Range: 52 – 64
DOI: 10.1643/0045-8511(2001)001[0052:ROTSOT]2.0.CO;2
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Abstract

New specimens and a new analysis provide the basis for systematic revision of Central American caecilians. We recognize seven species in the genus Dermophis (oaxacae, mexicanus, gracilior, costaricense, glandulosus, parviceps, and occidentalis). Two species of Gymnopis (syntrema and multiplicata), three of Oscaecilia (osae, elongata, and ochrocephala), and four of Caecilia (nigricans, volcani, isthmica, and leucocephala) occur in Central America. New information about the geology of the region permits reevaluation of the biogeographic history of the group. Data for specimens, distribution maps, and a key are provided.

Copyright: The American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists
Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.

(A) Primary and secondary annular counts for specimens of Dermophis parviceps, Dermophis occidentalis, Dermophis glandulosus, Dermophis gracilior, and Dermophis costaricense. The letter “B” denotes the three specimens previously identified as Dermophis balboai. (B) Primary and secondary annular counts for Dermophis mexicanus and Dermophis oaxacae. The letter “C” indicates the three specimens once designated Dermophis mexicanus clarkii

Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.

Distribution of Dermophis mexicanus, Dermophis parviceps, and Dermophis oaxacae from Mexico to Panama

Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.

Distribution of Dermophis costaricense and Dermophis occidentalis in Costa Rica

Fig. 4.
Fig. 4.

Distribution of Dermophis glandulosus, Caecilia isthmica, and Caecilia leucocephala from Costa Rica to Colombia

Fig. 5.
Fig. 5.

Distribution of Dermophis gracilior, Oscaecilia osae, and Caecilia volcani in Costa Rica and Panama

Fig. 7.
Fig. 7.

Distribution of Gymnopis multiplicata and Gymnopis syntrema from Guatemala and Honduras through Panama. The localities circled may include sympatry of the species

Fig. 8.
Fig. 8.

Tectonic features of Mesoamerica. Crustal blocks: Chocó, Chorotega, Chortis, Maya. Note the locations of faults, fracture zones, and trenches; see text for the relationship to historical biogeography of caecilians. Based primarily on Mann (1995)

Fig. 6.
Fig. 6.

Distribution of Caecilia nigricans, Oscaecilia ochrocephala, and Oscaecilia elongata from Panama through Ecuador

Accepted: 07 Jul 2000
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