Ichthyophis orthoplicatus
| Kingdom |
Phylum |
Class |
Order |
Family |
| ANIMALIA |
CHORDATA |
AMPHIBIA |
GYMNOPHIONA |
ICHTHYOPHIIDAE |
| Scientific Name: |
Ichthyophis orthoplicatus |
| Species Authority: |
Taylor, 1965 |
| Taxonomic Notes: |
Specimens from Welegama resemble Ichthyophis glutinosus, but appear to be more closely related to I. orthoplicatus. They could represent an undescribed cryptic species (Gower et al. 2005). |
Assessment Information
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| Red List Category & Criteria: |
Vulnerable
B1ab(iii)
ver 3.1
|
| Year Published: |
2004 |
| Assessor/s: |
Kelum Manamendra-Arachchi, Anslem de Silva, David Gower, Mark Wilkinson, Oommen V. Oommen, Mark Wilkinson, David Gower, Alex Kupfer |
| Reviewer/s: |
Global Amphibian Assessment Coordinating Team (Simon Stuart, Janice Chanson and Neil Cox) |
| Contributor/s: |
|
Justification:
Listed as Vulnerable because its Extent of Occurrence is less than 20,000 km2, it is known from fewer than ten locations, and there is continuing decline in the extent and quality of its habitat in Sri Lanka.
|
Geographic Range
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Population
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| Population: |
There is no information on the population status of this species, but it does not appear to be common.
|
| Population Trend: |
Unknown
|
Habitat and Ecology
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| Habitat and Ecology: |
It is a subterranean species present in evergreen forests, rubber plantations, tea plantations, paddy fields, rural gardens and farms, wetlands (boggy areas), and cattle pastureland. However, it appears to be less adaptable than Ichthyophis glutinosus. The adults are often found in humus. It is assumed to be oviparous with terrestrial eggs and aquatic larvae.
|
| Systems: |
Terrestrial; Freshwater |
| Major Threat(s): |
The species might be threatened locally by extreme habitat loss, due to agroindustry and clear cutting, and agro-chemical pollution (land and water-based).
|
Conservation Actions
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| Conservation Actions: |
It has been recorded from the Namunakula Reserve Forest and Horton Plains National Park.
|
