Maharashtra:- The Northern Western Ghats in Maharashtra has officially been recognized as a critical caecilian biodiversity hotspot following the discovery of a new subterranean amphibian species in September 2026. The newly identified legless amphibian, named Gegeneophis chandgadi, was documented in the Kolhapur region, adding a vital piece to the biological catalog of the North Western Ghats.
Taxonomic Classification and Traits
Caecilians are unique creatures belonging to the order Gymnophiona within the class Amphibia. As limbless, burrowing amphibians, they spend their lives underground. Due to their cylindrical bodies and subterranean habits, these animals are frequently mistaken for earthworms or snakes.
Currently, India records 42 caecilian species out of a total 458 amphibian species documented across the country.
Collaborative Discovery in Kolhapur
The breakthrough discovery of Gegeneophis chandgadi occurred in Buzawade village, located in the Chandgad area of Maharashtra’s Kolhapur district.
The successful identification was the result of a collaborative, multi-institutional research effort. The scientific team comprised experts from the Zoological Survey of India Western Regional Centre in Pune, Yashwantrao Chavan Mahavidyalaya, Savitribai Phule Pune University, and the Mhadei Research Centre in Goa.
To honor the local heritage, researchers selected the species name to reflect the Chandgadi dialect of Marathi, which is widely spoken in the region.
Western Ghats: A Global Center for Endemism
The Western Ghats is internationally recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and ranks among the eight “hottest hotspots” of biological diversity in the world.
The region serves as a massive center of endemism. India currently hosts 12 species belonging to the genus Gegeneophis, with 11 of them remaining completely endemic to the Western Ghats. Furthermore, the Western Ghats as a whole is home to 26 endemic caecilian species.
Broader Conservation Context and Threats
This recent addition follows closely on the heels of another significant find. Earlier in January 2026, researchers discovered Gegeneophis valmiki on the Valmiki Plateau in the Satara district of Maharashtra. The findings regarding Gegeneophis valmiki were officially published in the scientific journal Phyllomedusa.
Studying caecilians poses a significant challenge for scientists because the species rarely emerge on the surface and remain concealed underground. However, cataloging these creatures is increasingly urgent.
Globally, 41% of amphibian species are currently threatened with extinction. The Zoological Survey of India has emphasized that documenting discoveries like Gegeneophis chandgadi is crucial for protecting species that risk facing “silent extinctions” within heavily fragmented habitats.
