Hypogeophis rostratus
Encyclopedia
Hypogeophis rostratus is a species of amphibian
in the Caeciliidae
family. It is monotypic
within the genus Hypogeophis.
It is endemic to Seychelles
, where it is the most widespread caecilian species. It is found on all the islands with amphibians, namely Mahé
, Praslin
, Silhouette
, Ste. Anne
, Curieuse
, La Digue
, Cerf
, and Frégate
.
Amphibian
Amphibians , are a class of vertebrate animals including animals such as toads, frogs, caecilians, and salamanders. They are characterized as non-amniote ectothermic tetrapods...
in the Caeciliidae
Caeciliidae
Caeciliidae is the family of common caecilians. They are found in central and south America, equatorial Africa and India. Like other caecilians, they superficially resemble worms or snakes....
family. It is monotypic
Monotypic
In biology, a monotypic taxon is a taxonomic group with only one biological type. The term's usage differs slightly between botany and zoology. The term monotypic has a separate use in conservation biology, monotypic habitat, regarding species habitat conversion eliminating biodiversity and...
within the genus Hypogeophis.
It is endemic to Seychelles
Seychelles
Seychelles , officially the Republic of Seychelles , is an island country spanning an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, some east of mainland Africa, northeast of the island of Madagascar....
, where it is the most widespread caecilian species. It is found on all the islands with amphibians, namely Mahé
Mahé, Seychelles
Mahé is the largest island of the Seychelles, lying in the north east of the nation. The population of Mahé is 80,000. It contains the capital city of Victoria and accommodates 90% of the country's total population...
, Praslin
Praslin
Praslin is the second largest island of the Seychelles, lying 44 km north east of Mahé. Praslin has a population of around 6,500 people and comprises two administrative districts; Baie Sainte Anne and Grand' Anse . The main settlements are the Baie Ste Anne, Anse Volbert and Grand' Anse.It was...
, Silhouette
Silhouette Island
Silhouette Island lies 20 km northwest of Mahé in the Seychelles. It is the third largest island in the Seychelles. It has an area of 20 km² and has a population of 135, mostly workers on the island. The main settlement is La Passe, where there is a hotel for visitors to Silhouette...
, Ste. Anne
Ste. Anne Island
Sainte Anne Island is the largest of six islands in Ste Anne Marine National Park of the Seychelles. These six islands are part of the Mont Fleuri District of the Seychelles. It is 4 km off the east coast of Mahé and has abundant tropical vegetation...
, Curieuse
Curieuse Island
Curieuse Island is a small granitic island in the Seychelles close to the north coast of the island of Praslin. Curieuse is notable for its bare red earth intermingled with the unique Coco de Mer palms, one of the cultural icons of the Seychelles, only being present on the two islands.- History...
, La Digue
La Digue
La Digue is the fourth largest inhabited island of the Seychelles, lying east of Praslin and west of Felicite Island. It has a population of about 2,000 people, who mostly live in the west coast villages of La Passe and La Réunion. It has an area of 10 km²...
, Cerf
Cerf Island
Cerf Island lies 4 km off the north coast of Mahé in the Seychelles. Cerf Island measures more than long and almost wide, it reaches a height of . The island is surrounded by a coral reef and the geology is granitic....
, and Frégate
Fregate Island
Frégate Island or sometimes Frigate Island is a private island and is the easternmost of the granitic Inner Islands of the Seychelles. It is only and is primarily known as a secluded, private luxury resort and its Anse Victorin beach was voted "The World's Best Beach" by The Times. It was named...
.