Gegeneophis valmiki

Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have discovered a rare subterranean amphibian species in the northern Western Ghats, highlighting the region’s rich but largely hidden biodiversity.

New Species Identified
The newly discovered species has been named Gegeneophis valmiki. This is the first species discovery in the genus Gegeneophis in over a decade, drawing attention to a poorly known group of animals often called “hidden amphibians.”

Location of Discovery

• First collected in 2017
• Found on the Valmiki Plateau in Satara district, Maharashtra
• The species is named in honour of the Maharshi Valmiki Mandir located near the discovery site

Research Collaboration
The findings were published in the international journal Phyllomedusa.
The research was a collaborative effort involving:

• Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)
• Savitribai Phule Pune University
• Balasaheb Desai College
• Mhadei Research Centre

About Caecilians

• Caecilians are limbless, worm-like amphibians
• They live underground, burrowing through soil and organic matter
• Unlike frogs, they do not produce vocal calls, making detection and discovery extremely difficult
• Their secretive lifestyle often leads to accidental discoveries

Global and Indian Status

• Globally, only 231 out of 8,983 amphibian species are caecilians
• In India:
  • 42 caecilian species are recorded
  • Out of 457 total amphibian species
• The Western Ghats are a major centre of diversity:
  • 26 endemic caecilian species
  • 11 species belong to the Gegeneophis genus