Description
(Based on Bhatta 1998): Gegeneophis ramaswamii is a large species with a body length reaching 340 mm (Taylor 1968). The body is gray dorsally and light grey ventrally. The terminus of the body is wider than elsewhere. The eyes are invisible. The first and second nuchal grooves are distinct on the dorsum, venter and at the sides. There is a short transverse groove on the first collar.

Distribution and Habitat

Country distribution from AmphibiaWeb's database: India

View distribution map in BerkeleyMapper.

This is the most common species of caecilian in the Western Ghats, India (Oommen et al. 2000). One specimen has been collected from Tamil Nadu; the others are all from Kerala. None have been collected north of 8°58'N. Many have been found in cultivated habitats, particularly plantations, and most have been found under the soil, though some were under logs or litter. It seems to be widespread and not restricted to the lowlands (Oommen et al. 2000).

Life History, Abundance, Activity, and Special Behaviors
Gegeneophis ramaswamii is a terrestrial species (Oommen et al. 2000), but little is known regarding its behavior and life history.

Relation to Humans
Unknown. The reclusive nature of caecilians results in little direct interaction with humans. Oommen et al. (2000) suggest that the abundance of this species may impact the soil in the area, but there is no data to support this theory.

References

Bhatta, G. (1998). ''A field guide to the caecilians of the Western Ghats, India.'' Journal of Bioscience, 23, 73-85.

Oommen, O.V., Measey, G.J., Gower, D.J., and Wilkinson, M. (2000). ''Distribution and abundance of the caecilian Gegeneophis ramaswamii (Amphibia: Gymnophiona) in southern Kerala.'' Current Science, 79, 1386-1389.

Taylor, E.H. (1968). The Caecilians of the World. A Taxonomic Review. University of Kansas Press, Lawrence, Kansas.

Species Account Citation: AmphibiaWeb 2024 Gegeneophis ramaswamii: Forest Caecilian <https://amphibiaweb.org/species/1883> University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Accessed Nov 26, 2024.

Citation: AmphibiaWeb. 2024. <https://amphibiaweb.org> University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Accessed 26 Nov 2024.

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