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Description

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This species of caecilian is medium sized, ranging in length from 207-245 mm (Daniel 2002). It is violet to lavender in color dorsally, with a yellowish-cream groove. Its body is relatively wide and its head slim (Chanda 2002). Tentacles are located on the ventral side of its snout, visible only from below and protruding slightly farther than the nostril, but much closer to the nostril than the eye (Chanda 2002). It has approximately 166-172 folds around the body (Daniel 2002). Four rows of splenial teeth are concealed by a smooth, acute tongue (Pillai and Ravichandran 1999). The tongue is pointed (Taylor 1968). There are three to four rows of small unequal scales at the middle of the body, and six rows in both the primary and secondary folds (Chanda 2002).
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Distribution and Habitat

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Cochin, Kerala, in India
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Uraeotyphlus menoni

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Uraeotyphlus menoni, also known as Menon's caecilian or Kerala caecilian, is a species of caecilian in the family Ichthyophiidae. It is endemic to the state of Kerala in the Western Ghats, India.[1][2] The specific name menoni honours K. Ramunni Menon, collector of the holotype who later became the vice-chancellor of the University of Madras.[3]

Description

Uraeotyphlus menoni can grow to 248 mm (9.8 in) in total length.[4] It is a greyish species with a white belly blotched with grey. The head is light violet in colour with light mottling, and the distinct eyes are surrounded by a light ring. The tip of the snout and lower jaw are whitish in colour, also with grey spots. The tip of the short tail (<1 cm) is whitish in colour. The tentacles are placed close to and below the nostrils. The nostrils are visible from above.[5]

Habitat and conservation

Uraeotyphlus menoni is a subterranean (fossorial) species associated with humus-rich, loose, moist soil. It occurs in both tropical moist forest and agricultural land at elevations below 500 m (1,600 ft) asl. It is probably oviparous with terrestrial eggs and aquatic larvae.[1]

This species appears to be reasonably adaptable and is probably not severely threatened, even though local populations might be threatened by severe habitat destruction. It might also be threatened by agrochemicals, changes in soil chemistry, and collection of humus. It is not known to occur in any protected areas.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Sushil Dutta, Gopalakrishna Bhatta, David Gower, Mark Wilkinson, Oommen V. Oommen (2004). "Uraeotyphlus menoni". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2004: e.T59656A11965158. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T59656A11965158.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ Frost, Darrel R. (2019). "Uraeotyphlus menoni Annandale, 1913". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  3. ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael & Grayson, Michael (2013). The Eponym Dictionary of Amphibians. Pelagic Publishing. p. 140. ISBN 978-1-907807-42-8.
  4. ^ Venkataraman, K.; Chattopadhyay, A. & Subramanian, K.A., eds. (2013). Endemic Animals of India (Vertebrates). Kolkata: Zoological Survey of India. 235 pp.+26 plates. [Uraeotyphlus menoni: pp. 136–137]
  5. ^ Bhatta, Gopalakrishna (1998). "A field guide to the caecilians of the Western Ghats, India". Journal of Biosciences. 23 (1): 73–85. doi:10.1007/BF02728526. S2CID 29374045.
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Uraeotyphlus menoni: Brief Summary

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Uraeotyphlus menoni, also known as Menon's caecilian or Kerala caecilian, is a species of caecilian in the family Ichthyophiidae. It is endemic to the state of Kerala in the Western Ghats, India. The specific name menoni honours K. Ramunni Menon, collector of the holotype who later became the vice-chancellor of the University of Madras.

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