Sunday, February 26, 2012

[Herpetology • 2009] Ichthyophis khumhzi, I. moustakius & I. sendenyu • Three new species of striped Ichthyophis (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Ichthyophiidae) from the northeast Indian states of Manipur and Nagaland



Abstract
Three new ichthyophiid species, Ichthyophis khumhzi sp. nov., Ichthyophis moustakius sp. nov. and Ichthyophis sendenyu sp. nov., from the northeast Indian states of Manipur and Nagaland, are described on the basis of morphological analysis of new material. The new material (16 specimens) more than doubles the number of northeast Indian caecilian specimens reported in previous literature, and increases the caecilian fauna of the region to seven species. Two of the new species have very distinctive, moustache-like stripes between their tentacles and nares, a feature not reported in other ichthyophiids. Diagnoses, type descriptions, illustrations, data on variation, distribution, and natural history are provided for the new species. Concern for the conservation of northeast Indian caecilians is raised, given the paucity of previous work, evidence of unrecognized diversity, and ongoing habitat destruction.
Key words: caecilians, conservation, ichthyophiids, new species, northeast India, systematics




Kamei R.G., Wilkinson M., Gower D.J. & Biju S.D. 2009. Three new species of striped Ichthyophis (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Ichthyophiidae) from the northeast Indian states of Manipur and Nagaland. Zootaxa, 2267: 26-42. http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2009/f/z02267p042f.pdf