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Structure of the caecilian Siphonops annulatus (Amphibia, Gymnophiona): general aspects of the body, disposition of the organs and the structure of the mouth, oesophagus and stomach
Author(s) -
L. C. U. Junqueira,
C. Jared,
M. M. Antoniazzi
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
acta zoologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.414
H-Index - 37
eISSN - 1463-6395
pISSN - 0001-7272
DOI - 10.1046/j.1463-6395.1999.20009.x
Subject(s) - biology , citation , anatomy , zoology , library science , computer science
The caecilians (or Gymnophiona) constitute one of the least well known groups of terrestrial vertebrates because most species live underground, in quite unaccessible environments. Siphonops annulatus is an exclusively fossorial species and is the most extensively distributed caecilian in South America. This work is the first of a series which intends to study the complete morphology of this species. It describes the general anatomy and the initial portion of the digestive system, from the mouth to the stomach. The general aspect of the body and the elongation of the organs seem to be related to adaptation to the fossorial environment.