HEAD DIMORPHISM AND BURROWING SPEED IN THE AFRICAN CAECILIAN SCHISTOMETOPUM THOMENSE (AMPHIBIA, GYMNOPHIONA)

We examined the sexually dimorphic head morphology of Schistometopum t homense, a West African species of caecilian. Morphometric data were c orrelated with experimentally determined burrowing speeds for each sex to determine the relationship between morphology and. burrowing profi ciency. Males had larger heads and slower burrowing speeds. Field-coll ected individuals of this species bear marks indicative of biting. We examined the frequency, location, and nature of bite marks on a series of field-collected, preserved specimens of S. thomense. Bite marks oc curred on the head region more frequently than expected. We discuss hy potheses regarding the potential functions of biting.