Caecilian Taxonomy and Species Database
Currently the Order
Gymnophiona consists of six families. General
characteristics of each family are provided and following
links will take you to genus and species information as well
as photos (when such resources are available). Taxonomy is
always in flux and so this list will not always immediately
account for newly described taxa or revisions.
|
Caecilidae - The most widespread and
diverse family of caecilians, being found in the tropics of
North and South America, Africa, the Seychelles Archipelago,
and Asia. Members of this family lack a recognizable tail.
Reproductive strategies are varied and include laying
terrestrial eggs (which can hatch into aquatic larvae or
terrestrial juveniles) and live birth. Adults are terrestrial.
|
|
|
|
Ichthyophiidae - A primitive family of caecilians
found in tropical Asia and Indonesia. The skull consist of
several bones, the mouth is terminal, and a distinct tail is
present. Members of this family lay eggs which the female
guards and the young hatch as aquatic larvae. Adults often
live in close association with bodies of water.
|
|
|
Rhinatrematidae - Restricted to South
America, members of this family possess a tail, terminal
mouth, and a skull with several bones. The sensory tentacles
are in contact with the eyes. Adults lay eggs in terrestrial
situations and the larvae inhabit wet microhabitats such as
springs and seepages. The adults reside underground or in
deep leaf litter. |
|
|
|
Scolecomorphidae - Known only from Africa,
members of this family of caecilians have vestigial eyes at the
base of their tentacles. When the tentacles are extended, the
eyes are carried along with the tentacles outside of the
cranium. The adults are fossorial, lack a tail, and give live
birth to fully formed terrestrial juveniles.
|
|
|
Typhlonectidae - These aquatic and
semi-aquatic caecilians are found in South America and lack
a protrusible tentacle. They also lack tails but some have a
fleshy "fin" which extends along the posterior portion of
the body. Members give live birth to gilled, aquatic young.
|
|
|
|
Uraeotyphlidae - This tiny family is known
only from India. Possessing a short tail and a skull with
several bones, very little is known about them. Adults are
terrestrial and oviparous.
|
***Photo Credits, in order of appearance:
Herpele squalastoma (Caecilidae). Copyright © 2005 Andrew Tilson-Willis
Ichthyophis bannanicus (Ichtyhophidae). Copyright © 1996 Nicolai Orlov
Rhinatrema bivittatum (Rhinatrematidae) Copyright © 2007
Jean-Pierre Vacher
Scolecomorphus vittatus (Scolecomorphidae) Copyright ©
2007 Warren Biggs
Chthonerpeton indistinctum (Typhlonectidae). Copyright © 2003 Mirco Sole
|
