Marcapata Valley caecilian facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Marcapata Valley caecilian |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Epicrionops
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| Species: |
peruvianus
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| Synonyms | |
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Rhinatrema peruvianum Boulenger, 1902 |
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The Marcapata Valley caecilian (scientific name: Epicrionops peruvianus) is a unique type of caecilian that lives only in Peru. Caecilians are amazing creatures that look a bit like worms or snakes, but they are actually amphibians, just like frogs and salamanders! This special caecilian was first discovered in 1902 by a scientist named George Albert Boulenger.
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What is the Marcapata Valley Caecilian?
The Marcapata Valley caecilian is a fascinating amphibian that spends its life mostly hidden away. It belongs to a family of caecilians called Rhinatrematidae. These animals are known for having a tail that is not very long and a body that is divided into many ring-like segments.
Where Does it Live?
This caecilian is endemic to Peru, which means it can only be found there and nowhere else in the world! Its natural habitats are special places in the mountains. These include:
- Subtropical or tropical moist montane forests: These are forests found in mountain areas that are warm and very wet.
- Rivers: It lives near and in rivers.
- Intermittent rivers: These are rivers that sometimes dry up during parts of the year.
What Does it Look Like?
The Marcapata Valley caecilian has some interesting features that help scientists tell it apart from other caecilians.
Size and Shape
This species is one of the larger caecilians in its family. It can grow to be about 280 millimeters (about 11 inches) long. That's roughly the length of a standard ruler! Its body is fairly thin, with the widest part being about 12 millimeters (less than half an inch) across. It has a tail that is more rounded or blunt compared to some other caecilians.
Colors and Markings
The Marcapata Valley caecilian has a uniform dark brown color all over its body. Unlike some of its relatives, such as Epicrionops bicolor, it does not have a yellow stripe or band along its sides. It also has more ring-like segments, called annuli, on its body than E. bicolor.
Why is it Special?
The Marcapata Valley caecilian is special because it is an endemic species, meaning it's found only in a specific part of Peru. Scientists are still learning about these amazing creatures. Its conservation status is listed as "Data Deficient" (DD) by the IUCN. This means there isn't enough information about the species to know if it's endangered or not. More research is needed to understand how many of them exist and what threats they might face.
