Kuttal Caecilian

## About

No image exists of this species.

The Kuttal caecilian ***(Chikila fulleri)*** (pronounced SUS-SILIAN) also known as Fuller's caecilian, is an extremely seldom-documented species of legless amphibian that inhabits South Asia. Though no image is known representing this species, is described as having shiny skin, a light purple underbelly with pink tones and a darker purple dorsal area. Their heads are said to be duller than their bodies, possessing lighter hues and blotches. However, other sources note the caecilian having characteristically dark brown and black skin, most notably with a yellow 'tinting' around its snout. Their eyes are barely visible, if at all. The species exhibits minor sexual dimorphism, where the males are typically smaller than their female counterparts. While males can measure up to 16-19cm (6.3-7.5in) in length, females are longer at 17.3-23cm (6.8-9.1in).

## Diet

Similarly to other caecilian species, the Kuttal caecilian feeds on species of subterranean insects. They are likely omnivorous.

## Conservation Status

As the Kuttal caecilian inhabits India, the species is greatly threatened by ongoing urbanisation. Urbanisation the species faces most is the continued deforestation and habitat degradation in its range. Proximity with humans is also a large issue for the caecilian, as large scale industrialisation directed at riverine environments may drastically decrease the species' overall population. Despite these ongoing threats, the Kuttal caecilian is still listed as data deficient by the IUCN.

## Range and Population

The Kuttal caecilian inhabits only India however, claims have been made that the species may also occur in areas of Bangladesh and Myanmar (Burma). The Kuttal caecilian is known only to inhabit one location in India, being the state of Assam, located in the northeast. Here, the species inhabits riverine ecosystems, typically in lowlands at elevations of 0-500m (0-1,642.42ft). These environments include inland wetlands such as swamps and marshes, as well as fast-flowing creeks, streams and rivers. The Kuttal caecilian may also be capable of inhabiting human-altered habitats, such as dammed rivers. The population of the Kuttal caecilian and its current trend is unknown. There have been observations made of a possible Kuttal caecilian subspecies. This unidentified subspecies was found to have a much wider range, occurring at elevations of 0-4,000m (0-1,3123.36ft) in the northeast Indian states of; Arunachal, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Pradesh and Tipura, as well as the junctions along the Himalayas and Indo-Burma (Indo-Myanmar).

## Behaviour

The Kuttal caecilian is oviparous, like most caecilians, its hatchlings are born fully developed. Before hatching the eggs are defended by the mother caecilian, who will stay with them until they hatch. During this period, the mother will not feed herself, refusing to hunt. Details are scarce regarding the Kuttal caecilian' behavioural and breeding characteristics.

### Relationship with Humans

Local tribes have been known to have had a long living relationship with the species, as these people have a name for the species being; '*Chikila*'. The relationship between the Indian tribes and the species beyond the species' etymology is unknown. This name would later become the name of the Chikilidae family, of which the Kuttal caecilian belongs to. The name was given to the family after the Kuttal caecilian was encountered in 2012 by a research team, which has remained the most recent confirmed report of the animal.

## Sources

* IUCN Red List of Threatened Species - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/59551/11962498
* Chikila fulleri | Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chikila\_fulleri
* Chikila fulleri | Amphibia Web - https://amphibiaweb.org/species/1882