taxonID	type	description	language	source
03EE87BF90279232FCB7FD4478BDC339.taxon	biology_ecology	(c) Behaviour Behavioural observations were made on the recorded individuals of Dibamus nicobaricum to observe its pattern of activity in situ. The period of complete exposure of the organism was very meager when compared to the duration spent underground. Whenever the animal ventured under the soil surface, it always reached the bottom of the container, burrowing through the soil nearly 2 – 3 cm deep and resting underground. It voluntarily ventures out above the soil surface very rarely (during day time). This elusive behavior, its relatively small body size and cryptic colouration could chiefly be the reasons behind the very few records of this species till now. Majority of the local people were not familiar with Dibamus nicobaricum and could not recognize it based on the pictures shown.	en	Chandramouli, S. R., Gokulakrishnan, G., Sivaperuman, C. (2020): Status and distribution of the little-known and elusive Nicobarese worm lizard Dibamus nicobaricum (Fitzinger in Steindachner, 1867) (Squamata: Dibamidae). Bonn zoological Bulletin 69 (1): 131-140, DOI: 10.20363/BZB-2020.69.1.131, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.20363/bzb-2020.69.1.131
03EE87BF90279232FCB7FD4478BDC339.taxon	discussion	(d) Status assessment of Dibamus nicobaricum Based on the projected distribution maps and the number of individuals observed and reported in literature until now, it would be appropriate to regard Dibamus nicobaricum as an ‘ Endangered’ species as per the norms of the IUCN criteria B 1 (Extent of occurrence 3865 km 2, which is less than 5000 km 2) and B 2 (Area of occupancy estimated to be 36.0 km 2, which is less than 500 km 2). However, data on population of D. nicobaricum and its fluctuation over a period of time are extremely difficult to establish owing to its rarity, relatively small body size, fossorial behaviour and elusive nature.	en	Chandramouli, S. R., Gokulakrishnan, G., Sivaperuman, C. (2020): Status and distribution of the little-known and elusive Nicobarese worm lizard Dibamus nicobaricum (Fitzinger in Steindachner, 1867) (Squamata: Dibamidae). Bonn zoological Bulletin 69 (1): 131-140, DOI: 10.20363/BZB-2020.69.1.131, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.20363/bzb-2020.69.1.131
