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Victoria caecilian

Herpele multiplicata

About

The Victoria caecilian is only known from one individual, collected in 1912, and it has not been seen since! This has led to fears that this species may have become extinct, and its taxonomic validity has also been put into question.

However, all available evidence would suggest that this species has been assigned to the correct genus. As there has only ever been one specimen found, very little is known about the ecology or habitat of this species, and nothing is known of its population number or trend. Further, the only known specimen to be collected has since been lost!

In order to create any conservation action plans, more research and fieldwork is required to rediscover this species to understand more about it’s biology. The area in which the original specimen was found is not within a protected area.

  • Order: Gymnophiona
  • Family: Herpelidae
  • Population: Possibly extinct
  • Trend: unknown
  • Size: 239mm

EDGE Score

ED Score: 55.77 (?)
GE / IUCN Red List (?)
Not Evaluated Data Deficient Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in the Wild Extinct

Distribution

This species is found around Mount Cameroon, Cameroon.

Habitat and Ecology

This species is likely to be a fossorial (burrowing) species, but no certain ecological traits are known. It is assumed this species inhabits lowland rainforest.

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Marcel Talla Kouete

  • Project name: Conservation of Cameroon’s Caecilians
  • Project site: Littoral Regions, Cameroon
  • Active: 2011 - 2013
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