Head dimorphism and burrowing speed in the African caecilian Schistometopum thomense (Amphibia: Gymnophiona)

被引：0

作者：

Teodecki, EE

Brodie, ED

Formanowicz, DR

Nussbaum, RA

机构：

[1] Univ Texas, Dept Biol, Arlington, TX 76019 USA

[2] Utah State Univ, Dept Biol, Logan, UT 84322 USA

[3] Univ Michigan, Museum Zool, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA

[4] Univ Michigan, Dept Biol, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA

来源：

HERPETOLOGICA | 1998年 / 54卷 / 02期

关键词：

Gymnophiona; Caecilian; Schistometopum; sexual dimorphism; burrowing; aggression; communication;

D O I：

暂无

中图分类号：

Q95 [动物学];

学科分类号：

071002 ;

摘要：

We examined the sexually dimorphic head morphology of Schistometopum thomense, a West African species of caecilian. Morphometric data were correlated with experimentally determined burrowing speeds for each sex to determine the relationship between morphology and. burrowing proficiency. Males had larger heads and slower burrowing speeds. Field-collected individuals of this species bear marks indicative of biting. We examined the frequency, location, and nature of bite marks on a series of field-collected, preserved specimens of S. thomense. Bite marks occurred on the head region more frequently than expected. We discuss hypotheses regarding the potential functions of biting.

引用

页码：154 / 160

页数：7