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The dwarf crocodile (''Osteolaemus tetraspis''), also known as the African dwarf, broad-snouted or bony crocodile is an African crocodile. It is also the smallest extant crocodile species in the world. Recent sampling has identified three genetically distinct populations. Some feel that the findings should elevate the subspecies to full species status. ==Taxonomy and etymology== ''Osteolaemus tetraspis'' is currently the only species included in the genus ''Osteolaemus'', with two recognized subspecies: * ''Osteolaemus tetraspis tetraspis'' * ''Osteolaemus tetraspis osborni'' Congo (or Osborn’s) dwarf crocodile The second subspecies has had a somewhat convoluted taxonomical history. It was first described as ''Osteoblepharon osborni'' by Schmidt in 1919, based on a few specimens from the Upper Congo Basin in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, Inger in a 1948 paper found the specimens wanting of characteristics that would justify a generic separation from ''Osteolaemus'' and referred the specimens to ''Osteolaemus osborni''. Later, Wermuth and Mertens (1961), reduced it to the current subspecies rank. Recent evidence from the analysis of DNA indicates that there are three distinctly different populations of Osteolaemus that may merit full species recognition. These would be ''O. tetrapis'', ''O. osborni'', and a third currently unnamed species. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Dwarf crocodile」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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