Osteolaemus
Genus of crocodiles
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Osteolaemus (from Ancient Greek όστεον (ósteon), meaning "bone", and λαιμός (laimós), meaning "throat") 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]
| Osteolaemus | |
|---|---|
| |
| A dwarf crocodile, Osteolaemus tetraspis, in a Paris aquarium | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Crocodylia |
| Family: | Crocodylidae |
| Subfamily: | Osteolaeminae |
| Genus: | Osteolaemus Cope, 1861 |
| Type species | |
| Osteolaemus tetraspis Cope, 1861 | |
| Species | |
Species
The following species are recognized as being valid.[1]
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Congo dwarf crocodile, Osborn's dwarf crocodile
|
Osteolaemus osborni (Schmidt, 1919) |
Congo River basin of Central Africa | Size: Habitat: Diet: |
|
| dwarf crocodile, African dwarf crocodile, broad-snouted crocodile, bony crocodile
|
Osteolaemus tetraspis Cope, 1861 |
West Africa and Ogooué River basin of Central Africa |
Size: Habitat: Diet: |
VU |
- 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]