Systematics of the caecilian family Chikilidae (Amphibia: Gymnophiona) with the description of three new species of Chikila from northeast India
Author
Kamei, Rachunliu G.
Author
Gower, David J.
Author
Wilkinson, Mark
Author
Biju, S. D.
text
Zootaxa
2013
3666
4
401
435
journal article
43483
10.11646/zootaxa.3666.4.1
ae8b490a-b325-4d9f-90ed-ba0721b3bf5b
1175-5326
246458
15114087-1781-4D4D-9B06-FD29490E0C25
Key to the species of
Chikila
The following key serves to identify the four nominal species of
Chikila
based on specimens in our examined sample.
1. Eye visible; head pointed; fewer VPs than PMs; maximum adult size generally less than
200 mm
; northeast
India
north of Brahmaputra river.........................................................................
Chikila darlong
- Eye generally not clearly visible; head more broadly rounded anteriorly or moderately pointed; similar numbers of VPs and PMs or fewer PMs; maximum adult size generally greater than
200 mm
; south of Brahmaputra river....................2
2.
Chin
, throat and underside of anteriormost primary annuli with pale blotches; pale eye-tentacle patch extensive, generally encircling and extending posterior to position of eye; disc surrounding vent partly pigmented; no unpigmented patch immediately anterior of disc surrounding vent; annular grooves very strongly marked............................
Chikila fulleri
-
Chin
, throat and underside of anteriormost primary annuli without pale blotches; pale eye-tentacle patch restricted, generally not extending back to or beyond position of eye; disc surrounding vent unpigmented; unpigmented patch immediately anterior of disc surrounding vent; annular grooves weakly or moderately marked.......................................... 3
3. Strongly bicoloured; relatively large, narrowly separated choanae (interchoanal gap <1.25 x width of each choana)...............................................................................................
Chikila gaiduwani
- Weakly bicoloured, almost unicoloured; narrow, widely separated choanae (interchoanal gap> 2.25 x width of each choana)..........................................................................................
Chikila alcocki