''Dermophis occidentalis'' is a species of

caecilian Caecilians (; ) are a group of limbless, vermiform or serpentine amphibians. They mostly live hidden in the ground and in stream substrates, making them the least familiar order of amphibians. Caecilians are mostly distributed in the tropics o ...

in the family

Dermophiidae The Dermophiidae are a family of common caecilians. They are found in Central and South America, and Africa. Like other caecilian Caecilians (; ) are a group of limbless, vermiform or serpentine amphibians. They mostly live hidden in the ...

. It is

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found else ...

to south-western Costa Rica and occurs in the Pacific lowlands and premontane slopes, extending to the western part of the central valley. Its taxonomic status is unclear.

Description

''Dermophis occidentalis'' is a small-sized caecilian measuring in total length. It has 95–112 primary and 29–37 secondary annuli. The body is slender, with its length 30 to 32 times the body width.). The head is narrow and light grayish tan in color. The body is dorsally lavender plumbeous, turning lighter ventrally.

Habitat and conservation

''Dermophis occidentalis'' occurs in lowland and submontane rainforests at elevations of above sea level. It is a subterranean species that can be found under logs and in leaf litter. It is

viviparous Among animals, viviparity is development of the embryo inside the body of the parent. This is opposed to oviparity which is a reproductive mode in which females lay developing eggs that complete their development and hatch externally from the ...

. ''Dermophis occidentalis'' is a poorly known species. Deforestation might be a threat to it. Its range overlaps with the Corcovado National Park, among others.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q1941540 occidentalis Amphibians of Costa Rica Endemic fauna of Costa Rica Taxa named by Edward Harrison Taylor Amphibians described in 1955 Taxonomy articles created by Polbot