Kingdom Animalia Order Gymnophiona Phylum Chordata | Subphylum Vertebrata Scientific name Uraeotyphlus Rank Genus | |
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Family Uraeotyphlidae
Nussbaum, 1979 Lower classifications Red caecilian, Kerala caecilian, Menon's caecilian, Narayan's caecilian, Gansi caecilian | ||
Uraeotyphlidae is the family of Indian caecilians. It is a monotypic family containing a single genus, Uraeotyphlus. Alternatively, Uraeotyphlus is placed in the family Ichthyophiidae. There are seven species of caecilians in this genus, all of which are found in the Western Ghats in Kerala State, peninsular India.
They are relatively small sized caecilians ranging from 23 centimetres (9.1 in) to 30 centimetres (12 in) in length. Unlike the more 'advanced' caecilians, members of this family have a true tail with vertebrae, and their skull has a relatively complex structure. However, unlike the more 'primitive' caecilians, the mouth is recessed below the snout, there are no tertiary annuli, and the tentacular opening are far forward of the eyes, and below the nostril. Molecular studies support their placement as a sister taxon to Ichthyophiidae.
They are burrowing animals, which lay eggs that hatch into free-living larvae. Their habitat is primarily the soil of the tropical forest floor.
Taxonomy
Family Uraeotyphlidae