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| Caecilia pulchraserrana
Acosta-Galvis, Torres & Pulido-Santacruz, 2019
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Abstract
A new species of the genus Caecilia (Caeciliidae) from the western foothills of the Serranía de los Yariguíes in Colombia is described. Caecilia pulchraserrana sp. nov. is similar to C. degenerata and C. corpulenta but differs from these species in having fewer primary annular grooves and a shorter body length. With this new species, the currently recognized species in the genus are increased to 35. Mitochondrial DNA sequences, including newly sequenced terminals representing two additional, previously unanalyzed species, corroborate the phylogenetic position of the new species within Caecilia and the monophyly of the genus. This analysis also included newly sequenced terminals of Epicrionops aff. parkeri (Rhinatrematidae) and trans-Andean Microcaecilia nicefori (Siphonopidae). Evidence was found for the non-monophyly of the family Siphonopidae and the siphonopid genera Microcaecilia and Siphonops. The implications of these results for caecilian systematics are discussed and the status of the trans-Andean populations of Caecilia degenerata is commented upon.
Keywords: Amphibia, Caecilia degenerata, Epicrionops, Microcaecilia, paraphyly, phylogeny, Siphonopidae, South America, taxonomy, tropical humid forest
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| Figure 3. Holotype of Caecilia pulchraserrana sp. nov. Adult female, IAvH-Am-1548. A, B Lateral views of body C dorsal D ventral E lateral views of head F Frontal view of cephalic region, the arrow indicates the narial plug G dorsal and H lateral views of caudal region I ventral view of vent. |
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| Figure 4. Caecilia pulchraserrana sp. nov. in life. A Adult female, paratype, IAvH-Am-15488, TL= 232 mm B adult female, paratype, IAvH-Am-15488, TL= 232 mm C adult female, holotype, IAvH-Am-15487, TL= 206 mm D–E adult female. paratype, UIS-MHN-A-6575, TL= 195 mm. |
Caecilia pulchraserrana sp. nov.
Type Locality: (Fig. 1) Colombia, Santander Department, El Carmen de Chucurí Municipality, vereda La Belleza, Cascajales River, .., 789 m a.s.l.
Diagnosis: Caecilia pulchraserrana sp. nov. differs from its congeners by the combination of having 100–104 dorsally incomplete primary annular grooves, a small size (195–232 mm), lips and ventral margin of upper jaw with a pink-orange (salmon) color (Fig. 4), and lacking secondary annular grooves and dermal scale pockets.
Distribution and natural history: Caecilia pulchraserrana sp. nov. is currently known from two adjacent, relictual tropical wet forest localities on the western slope of the Cordillera Oriental of Colombia (Serranía de los Yariquíes; Fig. 1) at elevations between 731–789 m a.s.l. The Serrania of the Yariguies corresponds to an isolated mountain range that is part of the western slope of the Cordillera Oriental of Colombia (Fig. 1). Caecilia pulchraserrana sp. nov. is a fossorial species associated with marshy areas surrounded by secondary vegetation at the forest edge (Fig. 6). The specimens were collected during the dry season in very wet soils lacking rocks (i.e., bogs; Fig. 6), in a slightly inclined area (nearly 5°of slope) covered with vegetation of the family Heliconiaceae (Heliconia spp., Fig. 6).
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| Figure 6. Habitat of Caecilia pulchraserrana sp. nov. in the Serranía de los Yariguíes in Santander Department, El Carmen de Chucurí Municipality, vereda La Belleza, Cascajales River, .., 789 m a.s.l.. A View showing standing water in marshy area B Transitional change of wetter (right) to drier (left) microhabitat. |
Caecilia pulchraserrana sp. nov. was obtained during the initial 10 minutes of removal with a hoe.We extracted the first specimen in intermediate substrates between marshy and dry areas; after 40 minutes of excavation in these selected areas, we obtained four additional specimens. Using these same criteria, when moving two kilometers above the original point, an area with similar characteristics was located and within 20 minutes we collected two additional specimens. Caecilia pulchraserrana sp. nov. was collected on black sandy soils with high organic matter content. These caecilians move quickly under the substrate, so once the first specimen is detected it is important to quickly create channels to surround and block them from escaping.
Etymology: The specific epithet is formed from the Latin pulchra (nominative feminine singular of pulcher), meaning beauty, and the Spanish adjective serrana (feminine singular of serrano), from the sierra or serranía. This specific name refers to the type locality of the species: vereda La Belleza (beauty in English) in the western foothills of the Serranía de Los Yariguíes. The specific name was chosen using a citizen science approach. First, scientists and inhabitants of the El Carmen de Chucurí municipality gathered a list of possible names for the new species. Then, the list of potential names and their meanings was shared with the local people, who voted to choose their preferred name.
Andrés R. Acosta-Galvis, Mauricio Torres and Paola Pulido-Santacruz. 2019. A New Species of Caecilia (Gymnophiona, Caeciliidae) from the Magdalena Valley Region of Colombia. ZooKeys. 884: 135-157. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.884.35776
