Scolecomorphus kirkii Boulenger, 1883
This species is named for the collector, Sir. J. Kirk.
The eyes are connected to the globulate tentacles and were the first described vertebrate with protrusable eyes. The visual acuity is thought to be low, only capable of helping determine light and dark areas when on the surface (Text from Harper et al., 2010).
The IUCN Redlist (2010) categorizes this as Least Concern in view of its reasonably wide distribution, tolerance of a degree of habitat modification, presumed large population, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category.
The dorsum is an olive brown color which extends part way down the sides, which are pink to the ventrum in some individuals. Females are larger than males. Primary annuli range from 130 – 142 in males and 140–152 in females (Text from Harper et al., 2010).
This species is fossorial, or burrowing.
This species resembles S. uluguruensis and S. vittatus (Text from Harper et al., 2010).
The following is from the original description by Boulenger (1883):
Scolecomorphus, g. n.
Squamosals separated from parietals. A single series of teeth in the lower jaw. Eyes overroofed by bone. Tentacle flap-shaped, situated below and slightly behind the nostril. No scales.
Scolecomorphus kirkii, sp. n.
Teeth very small, subequal. Snout very prominent, rounded. Tentacle on a large oval swelling situated on the lower surface of the snout. Body slender; 152 circular folds, all interrupted on the dorsal and ventral lines. Tail indistinct, rounded. Dark olive above, brownish olive beneath. Total length 270 millim.; greatest diameter of 7 millim.
Males are 163 – 312 mm and females 288 – 463 mm in snout-vent length (Harper et al., 2010).
Adults eat earthworms, termites and other macroinvertebrates (Harper et al., 2010).
This species is known from mountains of Malawi and Mozambique, as well as the Ubena and Mahenge highlands, Nguru, Rubeho, Uluguru, North Pare and Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania (Harper et al., 2010).
This species is found in the soil and leaf litter of the forest and within loose soil on small farms at elevations between 500 and 1400 m (Text from Harper et al., 2010).
This species is ssumed to give live birth to live young, which are probably nurtured by the mother (Text from Harper et al., 2010).