Pune, 14th September 2026: Researchers studying the biodiversity of the Western Ghats have discovered a new species of caecilian, a group of legless amphibians that spend most of their lives underground. The species was found in the Chandgad region of Kolhapur district and has been named Gegeneophis chandgadi.
The name honours the Chandgadi Marathi dialect spoken in the region and recognises the area's local culture.
The research was jointly conducted by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Pune, Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), Yashwantrao Chavan College, Halkarni, and the Mhadei Research Centre, Goa. The scientific description has been published in the ZSI journal Records of the Zoological Survey of India.
Caecilians are legless amphibians with long, cylindrical bodies that can resemble earthworms. Since they spend most of their lives underground, they are difficult to locate through conventional biodiversity surveys. The newly identified species was also found close to human settlements in Chandgad.
Researchers studied its molecular data, physical characteristics and measurements to establish it as a distinct species. Local knowledge also helped the research. Residents of the Buzhawade area in Chandgad were already familiar with these animals, helping researchers locate and study them.
Researchers believe the northern Western Ghats may contain several more undescribed species belonging to the Gegeneophis genus. They have called for continued field surveys and detailed taxonomic studies in the region.
India currently has 458 recorded amphibian species, including 41 caecilian species. There are 12 known species of the Gegeneophis genus in India, of which 11 are endemic to the Western Ghats.
Dr Basudev Tripathy, head of ZSI’s Western Regional Centre, said, “Species that live underground are easily missed during conventional surveys. Documenting this hidden biodiversity is important to understand the Western Ghats better.”
ZSI Director Dr Dhriti Banerjee said, “About 41% of amphibian species worldwide are at risk of extinction. Research on caecilians in India is still limited, and field studies are essential to bring underground biodiversity to light.”
