| Indotyphlus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Gymnophiona |
| Clade: | Apoda |
| Family: | Grandisoniidae |
| Genus: | Indotyphlus Taylor, 1960 |
| Type species | |
| Indotyphlus battersbyi Taylor, 1960 | |
| Species | |
2 species (seetext) | |
Indotyphlus is a small genus ofcaecilians in the familyGrandisoniidae.[1][2][3] As caecilians in general, they superficially resemble earthworms.[3] The genus isendemic to theWestern Ghats, India.[1][4][5] They are sometimes known asBattersby's caecilians.[1]
Indotyphlus are small caecilians, with the largest specimen (a femaleIndotyphlus battersbyi) measuring 24 cm (9.4 in) in total length.[5] The eyes are visible in sockets, instead of under bone.[3][4][5] Other diagnostic characters are absence oftemporalfossae,mesethmoid not being exposed dorsally, presence ofsplenial teeth, secondary grooves, and scales, tentacular opening that is closer to the eye than to the external nostril, no unsegmented terminal shield, smallish narial plugs on tongue, absence ofdiastema between vomerine and palatine teeth, and absence of terminal keel.[4][5]
Development is probably direct, without aquatic larvae.[5]
The genus is unusual among caecilians in that both species have been recorded from relatively open, shallow-soiled areas with long dry season.[5]
The genus contains two species:[1][2][6]
| Binomial name and author | Common name |
|---|---|
| Indotyphlus battersbyiTaylor, 1960 | Battersby's caecilian |
| Indotyphlus maharashtraensisGiri, Wilkinson, and Gower, 2004 | Humbarli caecilian, Maharashtra caecilian |
