Cayenne Caecilian

## About

A Cayenne caecilian underwater.

The Cayenne caecilian ***(Typhlonectes compressicauda)*** (pronounced SUS-SILIAN) or the aquatic caecilian, is an enigmatic legless amphibian classed under the order gymnophiona. Though the species superficially resembles snakes and worms, it is not related to either. Cayenne caecilians are similar in appearance to other typhlonectids, lacking grooves on their bodies resembling segments and instead having characteristically smooth skin, that wrinkles when the caecilian is mobile. Similarly to most of its family, the Cayenne caecilian is completely reliant on water, being exclusively aquatic. Cayenne caecilians exhibit dull colouration, being a grey, silver or steel colour in most individuals. Other features of the Cayenne caecilian include their stout and rounded snouts as well as their blindness, as due to their vestigial eyes. This species also has a very minor dorsal fin that runs down the length of its body, measuring to 30-55cm (12-22in). The caecilian itself is quite large -though not the largest- growing to a maximum length of 50.8cm (20in).

## Diet

Cayenne caecilians are effective omnivorous predators. They prey upon other aquatic species, typically invertebrates such as insect larvae and shrimp. Other than invertebrates, the Cayenne caecilian also hunts freshwater fish species.

## Conservation Status

Though the species is regarded as least concern by the IUCN, its threats are not well-documented and the species requires revision.

## Range and Population

The species inhabits only freshwater environments 200m (660ft) above sea level, including fast-flowing shallow streams, rivers and creeks. Other aquatic biomes which the Cayenne caecilian can be found in, include swamps, marshes and other inland wetlands. Their range is completely limited to South America, being abundant in Peru, Brazil, Guyana, Venezuela, Colombia and possibly Suriname, despite no reports existing of the species in the country. Though the exact population of the Cayenne caecilian is yet to be quantified, they have been classed as decreasing however, they are still regarded as 'common'.

## Behaviour

Cayenne caecilians are night hunters, laying dormant in communal burrows during diurnal hours, only to begin hunting under the cover of night. While hunting, the caecilians employ a strategy in which they will sense their prey by touch or vibratory sensation, as they are blind. As a form of defense against predating species, such as snakes, birds and large fish, the Cayenne caecilian will eject mass amounts of noxious slime from its slime glands, in order to avoid capture. During mating, a pair of Cayenne caecilians will intertwine, with the male placing a spermatophore in the female's cloaca, rather than using methods of standard insemination. As ovoviviparous species, 6-14 juveniles first hatch inside the female, having external gills. The juveniles will first feed on the mother's egg yolks but will transition to feeding on glandular secretions from the oviduct after developing rasping teeth. After a period of 8 months, the juveniles are born, eventually developing their adulthood dentition.

### Relationship with Humans

As enigmatic species, the relationship between Cayenne caecilians and humans is extremely limited.

## In Captivity

The Cayenne caecilian cannot be found in any zoos outside of Germany, where the species is rather popular in collections. Three zoos currently exhibit the species in Germany, these being; Aquazoo Dusseldorf, Zoo Frankfurt am Main and Tierpark Chemnitz.

## Sources

* Cayenne Caecilian | Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typhlonectes\_compressicauda
* IUCN Red List of Threatened Species - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/59599/11959503
* Aquatic Caecilian | ZOOINSTITUTES - https://zooinstitutes.com/animals/aquatic-caecilian-2348/
* Cayenne Caecilian | Gone Froggin' - https://gonefroggin.com/2018/02/11/cayenne-caecilian-typhlonectes-compressicauda/