Striped caecilian (Ichthyophis spp)

The Striped caecilian (Ichthyophis spp) was recently discovered for the first time in Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve.

About Striped caecilian (Ichthyophis spp):

• It belongs to the order Apoda, a group of limbless amphibians that spends most of its life burrowed under the soil.

Physical Characteristics:

• Striped caecilians are wormlike with smooth, moist skin and a segmented appearance.
• Their small eyes are covered with skin, which only allows them to distinguish between light and dark.
• They can absorb oxygen through both their skin and lungs, and species in this genus typically lay eggs.

Habitat and Distribution:

• These amphibians are found in moist environments across Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia, including the diverse ecosystem of Kaziranga which comprises flood plains, wetlands, grasslands, and hill tracts.

Significance:

• Due to their ancient lineage, caecilians provide valuable insights into evolution and speciation.