La Fortuna Worm Salamander

Description: Oedipina gephyra has a SVL of about 56.7 mm (McCranie et al. 1993). O. gephyra has a round head. The nose comes to a point, with distinct nostrils and nasolabial grooves extending from the nostril to the lip. Its eyes are not protuberant (McCranie et al. 1993; McCranie and Wilson 2002). Labial protuberances are absent. O. gephyra has 22 vomerine teeth and 40 maxillary teeth (McCranie et al. 1993). The tail is thick with mild basal constriction, and the cross section of the tail is nearly rectangular. The cross section of the tail becomes ovular once it is about half the length of the tail away from the body. Its limbs are short and slender. Some of the toes are fused together. Its toe tips are rounded rather than pointed (McCranie and Wilson, 2002).Diagnosis: O. gephyra can be distinguished from other species of Oedipina in Honduras by the presence of 17 or 18 costal grooves. Oedipina elongata is the exception. O. gephyra is distinguishable from O. elongata by the presence of maxillary teeth which O. elongata does not have. O. gephyra has a dorsum that is uniformly blackish-brown, while Oedipina elongata has a brown dorsum with lighter brown spots or patches on the head and on the body (McCranie et al. 1993; McCranie and Wilson 2002).Coloration: O. gephyra is uniformly blackish-brown throughout, and the tail is black. Tiny iridophores are visible under magnification (McCranie et al., 1993).Variation: Males have mental glands and premaxillary teeth that pierce the lip. In females, the premaxillary teeth are located behind the lip. Males have cloacal papillae, while females have shallow cloacal folds (McCranie and Wilson 2002).This species was described by J. R. McCranie, L. D. Wilson and K. L. Williams (1993). The species name, gephyra, is derived from Greek root word that means “bridge.” The name refers to the fact that O. gephyra has several morphological features that bridge the gap between the species groups Oedipina uniformis and Oedipina parvipes . This was recognized by Brame when he revised the genus Oedipina in 1968 (McCranie et al. 1993; McCranie and Wilson, 2002).The sister species of O. gephyra are Oedipina elongata and Oedipina carablanca (McCranie et al. 2008).

O. gephyra is a Honduran endemic. It is only known in the department of Yoro, located in north-central Honduras. Within this region, O. gephyra has been found in Parque Nacional Pico Bonito and Texiguat Wildlife Refuge, which are both protected under Honduran law (Cruz et al., 2008).

O. gephyra exhibits direct development. Water is not required for its breeding (Cruz et al. 2008).

The population is currently declining due to habitat loss and degradation in north-central Honduras. Its main threats are forest fires and the expansion and encroachment of cattle ranches and subsistence farms (Cruz et al., 2008).

Oedipina gephyra, commonly known as the La Fortuna worm salamander, is a species of salamander in the family Plethodontidae. It is endemic to Honduras.

Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.