Dermophis is a genus of worm-like amphibians in the family Dermophiidae, the Neotropical and Tropical African caecilians. They are found in the Middle America between southern Mexico and northwestern Colombia. Common names Mexican caecilians or Neotropical caecilians are sometimes used for them.
The genus has seven species:
| Binomial Name and Author | Common Name |
|---|---|
| Dermophis costaricense | |
| Dermophis glandulosus | |
| Dermophis gracilior | |
| Dermophis mexicanus | Mexican caecilian, tapalcua |
| Dermophis oaxacae | Oaxacan caecilian |
| Dermophis occidentalis | |
| Dermophis parviceps | La Loma caecilian, slender caecilian |
The largest species, Dermophis mexicanus, can grow to a total length of 600NaN0, while the smallest one, Dermophis parviceps, reaches only 600NaN0. The body has numerous folds, from 97 to 258, with considerable variations both between individuals within a species and between the species. There is a tentacle about halfway between eye and nostril. The lower jaw has only one row of teeth. Living specimens are very dark purple to purple-black above and creamy white below.
Based on external morphology, three groups of species can be recognized: