Osteolaemus
Appearance
Osteolaemus | |
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Dwarf crocodile | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Clade: | Archosauromorpha |
Clade: | Archosauriformes |
Order: | Crocodilia |
Family: | Crocodylidae |
Subfamily: | Osteolaeminae |
Genus: | Osteolaemus Cope, 1861 |
Type species | |
Osteolaemus tetraspis Cope, 1861
| |
Species | |
2, see text. |
Osteolaemus is a genus of crocodiles.[1][2][3] They are small, secretive crocodiles that occur in wetlands of West and Middle Africa. They are commonly known as the African dwarf crocodiles.[2] Unlike other crocodiles, Osteolaemus are strictly nocturnal.[3]
Species
[edit]The following species are recognized as being valid.[1]
Image | Scientific name | Common name | Distribution |
---|---|---|---|
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Osteolaemus osborni Schmidt, 1919 | Congo dwarf crocodile | Congo River basin of Central Africa |
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Osteolaemus tetraspis Cope, 1861 | dwarf crocodile, African dwarf crocodile, broad-snouted crocodile, bony crocodile | West Africa and Ogooué River basin of Central Africa |
- Nota bene: A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Osteolaemus.
Molecular data suggest that Osteolaemus tetraspis consists of two lineages that would warrant recognition as distinct species.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Osteolaemus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 3 January 2023.
- ^ a b c Eaton, Mitchell J.; Martin, Andrew; Thorbjarnarson, John & Amato, George (2009). "Species-level diversification of African dwarf crocodiles (genus Osteolaemus): A geographic and phylogenetic perspective". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 50 (3): 496–506. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2008.11.009. PMID 19056500.
- ^ a b Vitt, Laurie J. & Caldwell, Janalee P. (2014). Herpetology: An Introductory Biology of Amphibians and Reptiles (4th ed.). Academic Press. pp. 550–552. OCLC 839312807.