Osteolaemus
| Osteolaemus | |
|---|---|
| |
| Dwarf crocodile | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Clade: | Archosauromorpha |
| Clade: | Archosauriformes |
| Order: | Crocodilia |
| Family: | Crocodylidae |
| Subfamily: | Osteolaeminae |
| Genus: | Osteolaemus Cope, 1861 |
| Type species | |
| Osteolaemus tetraspis Cope, 1861
| |
| Species | |
|
2, see text. | |
Osteolaemus is a genus of crocodiles.[1][2][3] They are small, secretive crocodiles that occur in wetlands of West and Middle Africa. They are commonly known as the African dwarf crocodiles.[2] Unlike other crocodiles, Osteolaemus are strictly nocturnal.[3]
Species[edit]
The following species are recognized as being valid.[1]
| Image | Scientific name | Common name | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Osteolaemus osborni Schmidt, 1919 | Congo dwarf crocodile | Congo River basin of Central Africa |
 |
Osteolaemus tetraspis Cope, 1861 | dwarf crocodile, African dwarf crocodile, broad-snouted crocodile, bony crocodile | West Africa and Ogooué River basin of Central Africa |
- Nota bene: A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Osteolaemus.
Molecular data suggest that Osteolaemus tetraspis consists of two lineages that would warrant recognition as distinct species.[2]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Osteolaemus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 3 January 2023.
- ^ a b c Eaton, Mitchell J.; Martin, Andrew; Thorbjarnarson, John & Amato, George (2009). "Species-level diversification of African dwarf crocodiles (genus Osteolaemus): A geographic and phylogenetic perspective". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 50 (3): 496–506. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2008.11.009. PMID 19056500.
- ^ a b Vitt, Laurie J. & Caldwell, Janalee P. (2014). Herpetology: An Introductory Biology of Amphibians and Reptiles (4th ed.). Academic Press. pp. 550–552. OCLC 839312807.
