| Species ID | 020020 |
| Name | Caecilian |
| Other Common Names | |
| Category | 02 Amphibians |
| Phylum | |
| Subphylum | |
| Class | Amphibia |
| Subclass | |
| Suborder | |
| Family | Caeciliaidae |
| Genus | Gymnopis |
| Species | syntrema |
| Subspecies | |
| References | 1, 2 |
| Scientific Synonyms | Siphonops syntremus, Cope, 1866 |
| DISTRICT | References |
| Cayo, Belize | 1 |
| Administrative Unit | Occurrence | Abundance | Temporal | References |
| Chiquibul Forest Reserve | 1 |
| QUAD Distribution | References |
| 16 45' to 17 00'; 88 45' to 89 00' | 1 |
Comments on Distribution
2* A single specimen collected in Cayo District, and there is a recent unconfirmed record (P.J. Stafford, in litt.) of a second specimen from Cayo District.
Comments on General Food Habits
2* Presumably feeds on earthworms and perhaps other soil invertebrates.
| References/Lifestage | Reference Numbers |
| General | 2 |
| References/Lifestage | Reference Numbers |
Life History Narrative
Little is known of the natural history of this uncommon caecilian. It appears to inhabit humid forests at moderate elevations, although Stuart (1948:18) reported a specimen from Alta Verapaz brought to him by an Indian "who found it in the dust near his hut at 900 meters." A specimen from Belize was found dead beneath a partially protruding tree root. (P.J. Stafford, in litt.) in moist tropical forest at an elevation of about 440 m (Stafford, 1991:12, 1994). M. H. Wake and Campbell (1983:859) described specimens taken in soft soil near a stream in undisturbed wet forest in the Department of Izabal, Guatemala. Thus, Gymnopis syntrema burrows in loose soil in moist forests, where it presumably feeds on earthworms and perhaps other soil invertebrates. Nothing is known about reproduction in this species. Gymnopis multiplicata, the other member of the genus-and syntrema's presumed closest relative- exhibits aplacental viviparity (M. H. Wake, 1977:89).
Life History References
2
| References/Result | Reference Numbers |
1 Meerman, J., 1994. Summary of Herpetofauna Distributions in Belize. Report to National Protected Areas Management Project. 2 Lee, Julian C. 1996. The Amphibians and Reptiles of the Yucatan Peninsula. Comstock Publishing Associates. Ithaca, New York.