A visceral synapomorphy of Scolecomorphus Boulenger, 1883 (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Scolecomorphidae)

Abstract

We describe the distinctive but previously overlooked shape and position of the fat bodies of some scolecomorphid caecilians. Anteriorly positioned, finger-like fat bodies projecting into the coelom from narrow bases in the genital mesenteries are found in both sexes of all species of the East African caecilian genus Scolecomorphus and are unknown elsewhere. We interpret this as a visceral synapomorphy of Scolecomorphus that may be related to viviparity in this genus.

Keywords:

• Anatomy
• caecilian
• fat bodies
• herpetology
• viviparity

Acknowledgements

We dedicate this to work to John Poynton in recognition of his contribution to African amphibian biology and as a celebration of our delight at having him as a colleague at the BM.

We thank the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (permit No. RCA 2007-153, RCA 2004-335-ER-98-13, RCA 2009-306-NA-2009-201), the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI), and the National Commission for Science and Technology of Malawi (permit No. 2012/01) for permission to collect scolecomorphid caecilians in Tanzania and Malawi. The Museums of Malawi, in particular Lovemore Mazibuko, Yankho Chapeta and Evelyn Mkandawire, are gratefully acknowledged for facilitating our research in Malawi. We thank Jonathan Campbell and Carl J. Franklin, University of Texas at Arlington for loans of Crotaphatrema tchabalmbaboensis, and Heinz Grillitsch, Naturhistorisches Museum Wien for a loan of Crotaphatrema bornmuelleri. We thank the many other colleagues that have facilitated our research on caecilians through loans or hosting or visits. Financial support from the Swiss National Science Foundation (31003A-133067), the Volkswagen Foundation (I/82 772) and the Mohammed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund (project no. 10051494) is gratefully acknowledged.