Archive · 18 Jan 2026
ZSI Discovers New Blind Caecilian Species
Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India found a new kind of blind, worm-like amphibian called Gegeneophis Valmiki in the Western Ghats.
These animals live underground and are very hard to find.
The discovery was made in 2017 and took years to confirm.
There are very few caecilians like this in the world, and they are important for the environment.
Scientists are worried because many amphibians are at risk of disappearing forever.
ZSI scientists discovered a new species of blind caecilian, Gegeneophis Valmiki, in the Western Ghats.
The species was first collected in 2017 on the Valmiki Plateau in Maharashtra.
Caecilians are limbless, worm-like amphibians that live underground and are difficult to identify.
Only 231 of the world's 8,983 amphibian species are caecilians, with 42 species documented in India.
Caecilians play a vital role in the environment by aerating soil and maintaining ecosystem balance.
- Who
- Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) scientists and collaborators
- What
- Discovered a new species of blind caecilian, Gegeneophis Valmiki
- When
- First collected in 2017, published in 2023
- Where
- Valmiki Plateau, Satara district, Maharashtra, Western Ghats
- Why
- To document and understand biodiversity, prevent 'silent extinctions'
- Species Name
- Gegeneophis Valmiki
- Discovery Location
- Valmiki Plateau, Satara district, Maharashtra
- Discovery Year
- 2017
- Total Amphibian Species
- 8,983
- Total Caecilian Species
- 231
- Caecilian Species in India
- 42
- Endemic Caecilian Species in Western Ghats
- 26
- Gegeneophis Species in Western Ghats
- 11