Scolecomorphidae
The family Scolecomorphidae consists of small to medium-sized caecilians (ranging from 270-448 mm), with counter-sunk lower jaws and tentacle-like openings placed very far forward on the snout. Orbits are absent; eyes are connected basally to the tentacle and are protruded along with the tentacle. They lack a stapes as well as secondary and tertiary annuli. Annular grooves lack dermal scales. Females tend to have more vertebrae than males, and as a result are longer/larger. Of the two genera in this family (Crotaphotrema and Scolecomorphus), Scolecomorphus is viviparous. Their distribution is restricted to western and eastern equatorial Africa.
Scolecomorphus vittatus
Photo by John Measey
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Genus Crotaphatrema (3 species)
Crotaphatrema bornmuelleri no species account no photos no range maps no sounds Crotaphatrema lamottei species account no photos no range maps no sounds Crotaphatrema tchabalmbaboensis no species account no photos no range maps no sounds
Genus Scolecomorphus (3 species)
Scolecomorphus kirkii species account no photos no range maps no sounds Scolecomorphus uluguruensis no species account no photos no range maps no sounds Scolecomorphus vittatus species account photos no range maps no sounds
Citation: AmphibiaWeb: Information on amphibian biology and conservation. [web application]. 2010. Berkeley, California: AmphibiaWeb. Available: http://amphibiaweb.org/. (Accessed: 2010).
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