the status of nectocaecilia cooperi taylor, with comments ...the type is from shanghai, china, and...

NOTES NOTES

oticum, eighth pair of pleurals reduced or absent, seven or more ossifications in the second branchial horn of the hyoid, foramen intermaxillaris about 60% of length of primary palate, no distinct metischial processes, vomer dividing maxillae and reaching in- termaxillary foramen, two callosities in plastron, foramen intermandibularis caudalis never enclosed by prearticular, dorsal edge of apertura narium externum weakly emarginate, jugal contacting squamosal, foramen palatinum posterius surrounded by palatine, and basisphenoid in contact with palatines.

The known range of Rafetus swinhoei lies completely within the range of Pelodiscus sinensis. The type is from Shanghai, China, and Heude's specimens of "Yuen" were all from the vicinity of Shanghai: Shanghai Riv- er, "le Fleuve Bleu," and "le Grand Lac" (=T'ai Hou). He suggests that they inhabit "all the lake region from Sou-tchou to the ocean."

Acknowledgments.-France de Broin and Roger Bour originally brought this problem to our attention.

LITERATURE CITED BAUR, G. 1893. Notes on the classification and tax-

onomy of the Testudinata. Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc. 31:210-225.

BOULENGER, G. A. 1889. Catalogue of the chelonians, rhynchocephalians, and crocodiles in the British Museum (Natural History). Taylor and Francis, London. 311 pp.

DE BROIN, F. 1977. Contribution a l'etude des cheloniens, cheloniens continentaux du Cretace et du Tertiare de France. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat., Mem- oires (Ser. C) 38:1-366.

GRAY, J. E. 1873. Notes on Chinese mud-tortoises (Trionychidae), with the description of a new species sent to the British Museum by Mr. Swin- hoe, and observations on the male organ of this family. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (Ser. 4) 12:156-161.

HEUDE, P. M. 1880. Memoire sur les Trionyx. Mem- oires concernant l'histoire naturelle de L'Empire chinois par des Peres de la compagnie de Jesus. 1: 1-38. Mission Catholique, Shanghai.

LINDHOLM, W. A. 1929. Revidiertes Verzeichnis der Gattungen der rezenten Schildkr6ten nebst No- tizen zur Nomenklatur einiger Arten. Zool. Anz. 81:275-295.

LOVERIDGE, A., AND E. E. WILLIAMS. 1957. Revision of the African tortoises and turtles of the suborder Cryptodira. Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. 115:163-557.

MEYLAN, P. A. 1985. Evolutionary relationships of Recent trionychid turtles: evidence from shell morphology. Stud. Geol. Salamanticensia. Vol. es- pecial 1:169-188.

1987. The phylogenetic relationships of soft- shelled turtles (family Trionychidae). Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. 186:1-101.

OBST, F. J. 1986. Turtles, tortoises and terrapins. Ed- iton Leipzig (English edition). 231 pp.

POPE, C. H. 1935. The reptiles of China. (Turtles, crocodilians, snakes, lizards.) Natural History of Central Asia 10:1-604.

SIEBENROCK, F. 1902. Zur Systematik der Schildkro- tenfamilie Trionychidae Bell, nebst der Beschrei-

oticum, eighth pair of pleurals reduced or absent, seven or more ossifications in the second branchial horn of the hyoid, foramen intermaxillaris about 60% of length of primary palate, no distinct metischial processes, vomer dividing maxillae and reaching in- termaxillary foramen, two callosities in plastron, foramen intermandibularis caudalis never enclosed by prearticular, dorsal edge of apertura narium externum weakly emarginate, jugal contacting squamosal, foramen palatinum posterius surrounded by palatine, and basisphenoid in contact with palatines.

The known range of Rafetus swinhoei lies completely within the range of Pelodiscus sinensis. The type is from Shanghai, China, and Heude's specimens of "Yuen" were all from the vicinity of Shanghai: Shanghai Riv- er, "le Fleuve Bleu," and "le Grand Lac" (=T'ai Hou). He suggests that they inhabit "all the lake region from Sou-tchou to the ocean."

Acknowledgments.-France de Broin and Roger Bour originally brought this problem to our attention.

LITERATURE CITED BAUR, G. 1893. Notes on the classification and tax-

onomy of the Testudinata. Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc. 31:210-225.

BOULENGER, G. A. 1889. Catalogue of the chelonians, rhynchocephalians, and crocodiles in the British Museum (Natural History). Taylor and Francis, London. 311 pp.

DE BROIN, F. 1977. Contribution a l'etude des cheloniens, cheloniens continentaux du Cretace et du Tertiare de France. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat., Mem- oires (Ser. C) 38:1-366.

GRAY, J. E. 1873. Notes on Chinese mud-tortoises (Trionychidae), with the description of a new species sent to the British Museum by Mr. Swin- hoe, and observations on the male organ of this family. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (Ser. 4) 12:156-161.

HEUDE, P. M. 1880. Memoire sur les Trionyx. Mem- oires concernant l'histoire naturelle de L'Empire chinois par des Peres de la compagnie de Jesus. 1: 1-38. Mission Catholique, Shanghai.

LINDHOLM, W. A. 1929. Revidiertes Verzeichnis der Gattungen der rezenten Schildkr6ten nebst No- tizen zur Nomenklatur einiger Arten. Zool. Anz. 81:275-295.

LOVERIDGE, A., AND E. E. WILLIAMS. 1957. Revision of the African tortoises and turtles of the suborder Cryptodira. Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. 115:163-557.

MEYLAN, P. A. 1985. Evolutionary relationships of Recent trionychid turtles: evidence from shell morphology. Stud. Geol. Salamanticensia. Vol. es- pecial 1:169-188.

1987. The phylogenetic relationships of soft- shelled turtles (family Trionychidae). Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. 186:1-101.

OBST, F. J. 1986. Turtles, tortoises and terrapins. Ed- iton Leipzig (English edition). 231 pp.

POPE, C. H. 1935. The reptiles of China. (Turtles, crocodilians, snakes, lizards.) Natural History of Central Asia 10:1-604.

SIEBENROCK, F. 1902. Zur Systematik der Schildkro- tenfamilie Trionychidae Bell, nebst der Beschrei-

bung einer neuen Cyclanorbis Art. Sitzungb. Akad. Wiss. Wien 111:807-846.

. 1909. Synopsis der rezenten Schildkriten, mit Beriicksichtigung der in historischer Zeit aus- gestorbenen Arten. Zool. Jahrb., Suppl. 10(3):427- 618.

WIEGMANN, A. F. A. 1835. Beitrage zur Zoologie, gesammelt auf einer Reise um die Erde, von Dr. F. J. F. Meyen. Siebente Abhandlung. Amphibien. Nova Acta Phys. Med. Acad. Caesar. Leop.-Carol. 17:183-268d.

Accepted: 1 October 1986.

Journal of Herpetology, Vol. 22, No. 1, pp. 119-121, 1988 Copyright 1988 Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles

The Status of Nectocaecilia cooperi Taylor, with Comments on the

Genus Nectocaecilia Taylor (Amphibia: Gymnophiona)

MARK WILKINSON, Museum of Zoology and Department of Biology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich- igan 48109, USA.

Taylor (1968) established the family Typhlonecti- dae to accommodate the aquatic caecilians of South America, and placed four species, three of them new, in the genus Nectocaecilia Taylor. A fifth species, Nec- tocaecilia cooperi Taylor, was described two years later (Taylor, 1970). There exists much difficulty in the identification of typhlonectids using Taylor's (1968) inadequate diagnoses and keys.

Recent examination of the holotype and single known specimen of N. cooperi (American Museum of Natural History No. A 82255) and direct comparison with other typhlonectid material lead to the conclu- sion that this species is invalid. The holotype is a poorly preserved specimen of Typhlonectes natans (Fischer).

Taylor's (1970) diagnosis of N. cooperi is as follows: "Having the generic characters. An elongate slender typhlonectid caecilian; lacking a dorsal "fin." Ap- proximately 86 primary folds, some rather dim, seemingly none complete; 96 vertebrae; eyes visible, in socket. Width of body in length approximately 45 times. Dentition in four series. Internal nares very large. Deep black throughout except for lighter coloration about eyes and at vent, and slightly lighter coloration on the head and jaws."

It is worthwhile considering all of these characters in turn to determine if any are diagnostic. Many caecilians have elongate slender bodies, but in this in- stance it is most likely because the animal was in poor physiological condition prior to preservation, due to having been kept alive for some time for immuno- logical studies. Poor condition is indicated by the exteremely small size of the fat bodies. The lack of a

bung einer neuen Cyclanorbis Art. Sitzungb. Akad. Wiss. Wien 111:807-846.

. 1909. Synopsis der rezenten Schildkriten, mit Beriicksichtigung der in historischer Zeit aus- gestorbenen Arten. Zool. Jahrb., Suppl. 10(3):427- 618.

WIEGMANN, A. F. A. 1835. Beitrage zur Zoologie, gesammelt auf einer Reise um die Erde, von Dr. F. J. F. Meyen. Siebente Abhandlung. Amphibien. Nova Acta Phys. Med. Acad. Caesar. Leop.-Carol. 17:183-268d.

Accepted: 1 October 1986.


The Status of Nectocaecilia cooperi Taylor, with Comments on the

Genus Nectocaecilia Taylor (Amphibia: Gymnophiona)

MARK WILKINSON, Museum of Zoology and Department of Biology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich- igan 48109, USA.

Taylor (1968) established the family Typhlonecti- dae to accommodate the aquatic caecilians of South America, and placed four species, three of them new, in the genus Nectocaecilia Taylor. A fifth species, Nec- tocaecilia cooperi Taylor, was described two years later (Taylor, 1970). There exists much difficulty in the identification of typhlonectids using Taylor's (1968) inadequate diagnoses and keys.

Recent examination of the holotype and single known specimen of N. cooperi (American Museum of Natural History No. A 82255) and direct comparison with other typhlonectid material lead to the conclu- sion that this species is invalid. The holotype is a poorly preserved specimen of Typhlonectes natans (Fischer).

Taylor's (1970) diagnosis of N. cooperi is as follows: "Having the generic characters. An elongate slender typhlonectid caecilian; lacking a dorsal "fin." Ap- proximately 86 primary folds, some rather dim, seemingly none complete; 96 vertebrae; eyes visible, in socket. Width of body in length approximately 45 times. Dentition in four series. Internal nares very large. Deep black throughout except for lighter coloration about eyes and at vent, and slightly lighter coloration on the head and jaws."

It is worthwhile considering all of these characters in turn to determine if any are diagnostic. Many caecilians have elongate slender bodies, but in this in- stance it is most likely because the animal was in poor physiological condition prior to preservation, due to having been kept alive for some time for immuno- logical studies. Poor condition is indicated by the exteremely small size of the fat bodies. The lack of a

119 119

NOTES

dorsal "fin" requires some clarification. Taylor used the three terms "fin," "fold" and "ridge" to describe a middorsal structure present in some typhlonectids without ever giving any clear indication of what each term meant. In some typhlonectids, such as the species of Chthonerpeton Peters, there is no middorsal structure; in the remaining forms there is much variation. I consider two categories of development of this structure to be most easily distinguishable: a free fold, best exemplified by Potomotyphlus kaupii (Berthold), is a flap of skin attached so that the distal end is freely movable independent of any movement of the body; ridges are elevations that are not freely movable. The dorsal structure may vary along the length of an in- dividual and this variation is utilized in the key to the species of Typhlonectes (Taylor, 1968:233). The dorsal structure, however, is variably expressed in life in Typhlonectes natans, and the extent of development is sexually dimorphic. Therefore use of this character in keys is confusing.

Contrary to Taylor (1970), the holotype of N. cooperi has a very weak free fold posteriorly and above the terminus. This was present in life (Edwin Cooper, pers. comm.). In the key to the genera of the Typhlo- nectidae the presence of a "fin" on any part of the body separates Potomotyphlus and Typhlonectes from Chthonerpeton and Nectocaecilia (Taylor, 1968:232). Thus, according to Taylor's own key this holotype does not belong to the genus Nectocaecilia.

The characterization of the extent of the primary annuli as "seemingly none complete" is inaccurate. The anteriormost primaries of the holotype of N. cooperi are complete; elsewhere they are interrupted dorsally as in most specimens of T. natans. The numbers of primary folds (annuli) and vertebrae lie within the reported range of variation for T. natans (Taylor, 1968: 251). The counts are also very close to those of Nec- tocaecilia haydee (Roze) and N. ladigesi Taylor (Taylor, 1968).

"Eyes visible in socket" is true of the majority of typhlonectids, and only in Chthonerpeton and Poto- motyphlus have species been described with eyes not visible. "Dentition in four series" and "Internal nares very large" are familial traits (though the choanae of Chthonerpeton spp. are relatively small among typhlonectids).

The ratio of width in length lies within the reported range of variation of T. natans (Taylor, 1968:250) and, in any case, is affected by the poor condition of the specimen. Furthermore, such ratios are of limited val- ue as relative width varies ontogenetically and pos- sibly seasonally in all typhlonectids. Measurements of width of specimens which had the body musculature relaxed when preserved varies with how the specimen is held and thus from worker to worker. In specimens with the body musculature more firm, measurements made at different points near midbody may differ dramatically, reflecting the considerable control that live typhlonectids exercise over their body shape. Degree of compression is another attribute used by Taylor in his keys. At different times live T. natans may be laterally or dorsoventrally compressed.

The coloration of the holotype of N. cooperi is dark brown to almost black on the dorsum and a lighter

gray-brown ventrally. Such coloration is typical of preserved specimens that have lost the outer epider- mis or suffered from dehydration. The color in life was a dark bluish (Edwin Cooper, pers. comm.) as in T. natans.

What remains of the original diagnosis is "Having the generic characters," a feature that is clearly in- sufficient for diagnosis of a species. Consideration of the diagnostic characters of Nectocaecilia is useful in illustrating further the present problems in typhlonectid taxonomy.

The diagnostic characters of the genus Nectocaecilia taken from Taylor (1968: p. 269) are listed and discussed below. 1. "Moderately large species"-as are Potomotyphlus

and Typhlonectes among the Typhlonectidae. 2. "absence of secondaries"-a familial character-

istic. 3. "absence of scales"-a familial characteristic. 4. "primaries incomplete dorsally"-typical of most

typhlonectids, though the anteriormost annuli are frequently complete as is the case with Nectocae- cilia cooperi.

5. "splenial series, 3-3 to 7-7"-within the range of variation of Typhlonectes.

6. "tentacular aperture minute opening close to and directly behind the very large subtriangular nos- tril"-all features shared with Typhlonectes.

7. "choanae very large, transverse diameter of one greater than the distance between them"-true also for Potomotyphlus and Typhlonectes.

8. "no or only vague trace of a dorsal fin in adults"- this is contrary to the key to the genera of the Typhlonectidae Taylor (1968:232) and is problem- atical as discussed previously.

9. "primaries often indistinct"-this is probably a reflection of poor state of preservation and is not a feature restricted to individuals of Nectocaecilia.

10. "two large narial plugs on tongue"-a familial character.

11. "Anal area ("disc") practically circular or some- what longitudinal"-true also for Typhlonectes.

12. "anal glands present in males"-anal papillae are fairly widespread in caecilians. In Typhlonectes natans they are present though developed to different extents in both sexes. Papillae are also present in Chthonerpeton, where they may be restricted to males. Too few specimens of Nectocaecilia are known to be certain of this feature.

13. "collars indistinct"-this is not the case for Nec- tocaecilia cooperi, and, where true, it may only re- flect a poor state of preservation and is a feature not restricted to Nectocaecilia.

14. "primaries vary between 76 and 142"-a range that falls within that of Chthonerpeton and over- laps the other two typhlonectid genera. This is not a good diagnostic character.

15. "A diastema between the squamosal and the pa- rietal bones"-a familial characteristic.

I have been unable to examine the types of T. natans, deposited in the Berlin Museum. Taylor visited the Berlin Museum, but was unable to locate the types and it is possible that these have been lost. Fischer's

120

NOTES NOTES

TABLE 1. Morphometric and meristic data for the holotype of Nectocaecilia cooperi and comparable specimens of Typhlonectes natans.

T. natans

LACM UMMZ N. cooperi LACM UMMZ 67421 182634 AMNH good poor 82255 condi- condi-

holotype tion tion

Total length (mm) 355 360 337 Length/midbody width 59 43 67 Head width (mm) 8.4 9.4 9.0 Eye level-snout tip (mm) 5.4 5.8 5.7 Projection of snout (mm) 2.3 3.4 3.0 Interorbital distance (mm) 6.2 6.2 6.3 Internarial distance (mm) 4.5 4.5 4.5 Eye-tentacular aperture

(mm) 3.8 3.8 3.9 Naris-tentacular aperture

(mm) 0.5 0.5 0.4 Premax-maxillaries 38 40 42 Vomeropalatines 36 38 38 Dentaries 32 32 30 Splenials 5 5 7 Primary annuli 87 90 85 Vertebrae 97 99 97

TABLE 1. Morphometric and meristic data for the holotype of Nectocaecilia cooperi and comparable specimens of Typhlonectes natans.

T. natans

LACM UMMZ N. cooperi LACM UMMZ 67421 182634 AMNH good poor 82255 condi- condi-

holotype tion tion

Total length (mm) 355 360 337 Length/midbody width 59 43 67 Head width (mm) 8.4 9.4 9.0 Eye level-snout tip (mm) 5.4 5.8 5.7 Projection of snout (mm) 2.3 3.4 3.0 Interorbital distance (mm) 6.2 6.2 6.3 Internarial distance (mm) 4.5 4.5 4.5 Eye-tentacular aperture

(mm) 3.8 3.8 3.9 Naris-tentacular aperture

(mm) 0.5 0.5 0.4 Premax-maxillaries 38 40 42 Vomeropalatines 36 38 38 Dentaries 32 32 30 Splenials 5 5 7 Primary annuli 87 90 85 Vertebrae 97 99 97

(1880) original type description is very brief, but Fuhrmann (1914) provided an excellent description of the types and other material. I have examined over a hundred specimens, including ones described by Taylor (1968, 1971) as T. natans, which agree with Fuhrmann's account of this species. The holotype of N. cooperi agrees in all essential respects with this distinctive species, and morphometric and meristic data (see Table 1) lie well within the range of known variation. Furthermore, this single known specimen is from the Rio Magdelena at Baranquilla, Colombia, as are most museum specimens of T. natans. Therefore, N. cooperi Taylor must be regarded as a junior syn- onym of T. natans (Fischer).

It is clear that the genus Nectocaecilia as presently diagnosed has no unique features, though it may rep- resent a natural group for other reasons. There is an extreme paucity of specimens of this genus in collec- tions and too few species have been available for study to reach firmer conclusions.

Increasing numbers of Typhlonectes natans are be- coming commercially available, and these may be misidentified as Nectocaecilia spp. because males may have only a slight ridge above the terminus rather than a free fold. I made this error in Wilkinson (1981). T. natans can be distinguished from N. petersi (Bou- lenger) by its much smaller number of primary annuli (between 84 and 95 vs. 142) and from N. ladigesi by having 9 rather than 10 denticles about the vent. I have not seen specimens of N. haydee nor N. fasciata, but, according to Taylor's (1968) descriptions, N. fasciata has fewer annuli (76). N. haydee is from a locality close to that of T. natans and the descriptions of it are

(1880) original type description is very brief, but Fuhrmann (1914) provided an excellent description of the types and other material. I have examined over a hundred specimens, including ones described by Taylor (1968, 1971) as T. natans, which agree with Fuhrmann's account of this species. The holotype of N. cooperi agrees in all essential respects with this distinctive species, and morphometric and meristic data (see Table 1) lie well within the range of known variation. Furthermore, this single known specimen is from the Rio Magdelena at Baranquilla, Colombia, as are most museum specimens of T. natans. Therefore, N. cooperi Taylor must be regarded as a junior syn- onym of T. natans (Fischer).

It is clear that the genus Nectocaecilia as presently diagnosed has no unique features, though it may rep- resent a natural group for other reasons. There is an extreme paucity of specimens of this genus in collec- tions and too few species have been available for study to reach firmer conclusions.

Increasing numbers of Typhlonectes natans are be- coming commercially available, and these may be misidentified as Nectocaecilia spp. because males may have only a slight ridge above the terminus rather than a free fold. I made this error in Wilkinson (1981). T. natans can be distinguished from N. petersi (Bou- lenger) by its much smaller number of primary annuli (between 84 and 95 vs. 142) and from N. ladigesi by having 9 rather than 10 denticles about the vent. I have not seen specimens of N. haydee nor N. fasciata, but, according to Taylor's (1968) descriptions, N. fasciata has fewer annuli (76). N. haydee is from a locality close to that of T. natans and the descriptions of it are

lacking in clearly distinctive features (Roze, 1963; Taylor, 1968). The validity of this species is at present uncertain.

Acknowledgments.-I would like to thank the fol- lowing individuals and institutions for the loan of specimens in their care: Charles W. Myers, American Museum of Natural History (AMNH); John W. Wright, Los Angeles County Museum (LACM); Ronald A. Nussbaum, University of Michigan Museum of Zo- ology (UMMZ). I am particularly grateful to Edwin Cooper who originally donated the holotype of N. cooperi and for whom the species was named, for pro- viding a good memory and important information on the type in life. Paula Bergstrom kindly read the manuscript and offered helpful suggestions. I am in- debted to Ronald A. Nussbaum for his much needed guidance.

LITERATURE CITED

FISCHER, J. E. 1980. Neu Amphibien und Reptilien. Arch. Nat. 46(1):217.

FUHRMANN, 0. 1914. Le genre Thyphlonectes (sic). In Fuhrmann, 0. and E. Mayor (eds.), Voyage d'Ex- ploration scientifique en Colombie. 5:112-138. Mem. Soc. Sci. Nat. Neuchatel.

ROZE, J. A. 1963. Una nueva especie de cecilidos (Amphibia: Gymnophiona) de Venezuela, con no- tas sobre los generos Chthonerpeton y Typhlonectes. Acta Biol. Venez. 3:279-282.

TAYLOR, E. H. 1968. The caecilians of the world. A taxonomic review. Univ. Kansas Press. 848 pp.

.1970. An aquatic caecilian from the Mag- dalena river, Colombia, S.A. Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull. 48:845-848.

. 1971. A caecilian miscellany. Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull. 50:187-231.

WILKINSON, M. 1981. Notes on a caecilian, Nectocae- cilia sp. Herptile 5:22-25.

Accepted: 5 November 1986.


Navajosuchus is Allognathosuchus ROBERT M. SULLIVAN, Vertebrate Paleontology Section, Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History, 900 Ex- position Blvd., Los Angeles, California 90007, USA. (Pres- ent address: P.O. Box 15184, San Diego, California 92115, USA.) SPENCER G. LUCAS, Department of Geology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA. COSTAS TSENTAS, Department of Anthropology, New York University, New York, New York 10003, USA.

Crocodilian remains are very common in the Pa- leocene Nacimiento Formation, San Juan Basin, New Mexico. Unfortunately these remains typically consist

lacking in clearly distinctive features (Roze, 1963; Taylor, 1968). The validity of this species is at present uncertain.

Acknowledgments.-I would like to thank the fol- lowing individuals and institutions for the loan of specimens in their care: Charles W. Myers, American Museum of Natural History (AMNH); John W. Wright, Los Angeles County Museum (LACM); Ronald A. Nussbaum, University of Michigan Museum of Zo- ology (UMMZ). I am particularly grateful to Edwin Cooper who originally donated the holotype of N. cooperi and for whom the species was named, for pro- viding a good memory and important information on the type in life. Paula Bergstrom kindly read the manuscript and offered helpful suggestions. I am in- debted to Ronald A. Nussbaum for his much needed guidance.

LITERATURE CITED

FISCHER, J. E. 1980. Neu Amphibien und Reptilien. Arch. Nat. 46(1):217.

FUHRMANN, 0. 1914. Le genre Thyphlonectes (sic). In Fuhrmann, 0. and E. Mayor (eds.), Voyage d'Ex- ploration scientifique en Colombie. 5:112-138. Mem. Soc. Sci. Nat. Neuchatel.

ROZE, J. A. 1963. Una nueva especie de cecilidos (Amphibia: Gymnophiona) de Venezuela, con no- tas sobre los generos Chthonerpeton y Typhlonectes. Acta Biol. Venez. 3:279-282.

TAYLOR, E. H. 1968. The caecilians of the world. A taxonomic review. Univ. Kansas Press. 848 pp.

.1970. An aquatic caecilian from the Mag- dalena river, Colombia, S.A. Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull. 48:845-848.

. 1971. A caecilian miscellany. Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull. 50:187-231.

WILKINSON, M. 1981. Notes on a caecilian, Nectocae- cilia sp. Herptile 5:22-25.

Accepted: 5 November 1986.


Navajosuchus is Allognathosuchus ROBERT M. SULLIVAN, Vertebrate Paleontology Section, Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History, 900 Ex- position Blvd., Los Angeles, California 90007, USA. (Pres- ent address: P.O. Box 15184, San Diego, California 92115, USA.) SPENCER G. LUCAS, Department of Geology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA. COSTAS TSENTAS, Department of Anthropology, New York University, New York, New York 10003, USA.

Crocodilian remains are very common in the Pa- leocene Nacimiento Formation, San Juan Basin, New Mexico. Unfortunately these remains typically consist

121 121

Article Contentsp. 119p. 120p. 121

Issue Table of ContentsJournal of Herpetology, Vol. 22, No. 1 (Mar., 1988), pp. 1-126Front MatterReproductive and Fat Body Cycles of the Viviparous Lizard, Sceloporus mucronatus (Sauria: Iguanidae) [pp. 1 - 12]The Social Behavior of Anolis auratus, a Grass Anole from Panama [pp. 13 - 23]Body Size of Tiger Snakes in Southern Australia, with Particular Reference to Notechis ater serventyi (Elapidae) on Chappell Island [pp. 24 - 33]Two New Species of Ecuadorian Eleutherodactylus (Leptodactylidae) of the E. crucifer Assembly [pp. 34 - 41]Population Dynamics and Dispersal in Three Species of Agamid Lizards in Sri Lanka: Calotes calotes, C. versicolor and C. nigrilabris [pp. 42 - 52]Field Identification of the Sex of the Smooth Snake (Coronella austriaca Laurenti) [pp. 53 - 60]A Tabular Survey of Data on Movements and Home Ranges of Snakes [pp. 61 - 73]Patterns of Distribution and Seasonal Use of the Turtle Sternotherus depressus by the Leech Placobdella parasitica [pp. 74 - 81]Additional Pleistocene Amphibians and Reptiles from the Seymour Formation, Texas [pp. 82 - 87]Egg Failure in Natural and Relocated Sea Turtle Nests [pp. 88 - 96]Ecology and Calls of Four Species of Amazonian Forest Frogs [pp. 97 - 108]NotesKaryotypes of Five Species of Coral Snakes (Micrurus) [pp. 109 - 112]Triploidy in the Lizard, Sceloporus grammicus [pp. 112 - 115]Fixative and Alcohol-Induced Weight Change in Eggs from the Lizard, Sceloporus undulatus [pp. 115 - 118]Rafetus swinhoei (Gray) 1873, a Valid Species of Living Soft-Shelled Turtle (Family Trionychidae) from China [pp. 118 - 119]The Status of Nectocaecilia cooperi Taylor, with Comments on the Genus Nectocaecilia Taylor (Amphibia: Gymnophiona) [pp. 119 - 121]Navajosuchus Is Allognathosuchus [pp. 121 - 125]

Back Matter [pp. 126 - 126]

the status of nectocaecilia cooperi taylor, with comments ...the type is from shanghai, china, and...

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