Chalo Caecilian – Ichthyophis chaloensis – Geissler, Poyarkov, Grismer, Nguyen, An, Neang, Kupfer, Ziegler, Böhme & Müller, 2015

Science name: Ichthyophis chaloensis – Geissler, Poyarkov, Grismer, Nguyen, An, Neang, Kupfer, Ziegler, Böhme & Müller, 2015

Taxonomic:  Animalia>> Chordata>> Amphibia>> Gymnophiona >> Ichthyophiidae >> chaloensis

Species status: Endemic ; IUCN status: LC (Least Concern)

Description: Physical Characteristics:

Body shape: worm-like, rounded, robust.
Size: Moderate, with a total length of approximately 22 cm.
Head: Flat at the top with a tapered rear, the snout is rounded when viewed from the side.
Eyes: Visible but small, located between the mouth and the top of the head under a transparent layer of skin.
Body: 344 segmented rings (annuli) with 110 vertebrae. The body is dark gray, and the skin is smooth.
Tail: Short, with 3 annuli at the cloaca and a rounded tip.
This species lacks the distinctive yellow lateral stripes found in some other species of caecilians.

Distribution and habitat: Elevation:
Ichthyophis chaloensis, commonly known as the Cha Lo Caecilian, is found at an elevation of approximately 621 meters above sea level.

Area:
This species is endemic to Vietnam and has only been recorded in the Cha Lo area of Minh Hoa District, Quang Binh Province. Its type locality is near the Vietnam-Laos border in Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park. Although the species is currently known only from this locality, it is suspected that it may also occur in similar habitats in neighboring provinces and possibly in parts of Laos.

Habitat:
Ichthyophis chaloensis inhabits tropical evergreen forests. The species has been found in moist leaf litter near rocky stream banks. Due to its fossorial nature, much of its habitat and ecological preferences remain unknown. Its environment consists primarily of low secondary forests.

Behaviour and ecology: Lifestyle:
As a fossorial species, Ichthyophis chaloensis spends most of its time burrowing in the soil. It likely follows similar reproductive strategies to other species within the Ichthyophis genus, laying terrestrial eggs with stream-dwelling larvae. However, specific reproductive details for this species have not been recorded.

Conservation and status: IUCN Red List Category and Criteria:
Ichthyophis chaloensis is listed as Data Deficient due to the lack of comprehensive data about its population size, distribution, and ecological requirements. The species was assessed in 2015.

Population Trend:
The population trend is currently unknown, and there is no data on the number of mature individuals.

Threats:
Although the species’ range is in a protected national park, habitat disturbances from agriculture and other land-use changes in nearby areas could pose risks. However, the exact impact of these threats on I. chaloensis is not yet clear.

Conservation Actions:
Further surveys and research are required to understand the species’ full distribution, population dynamics, and ecological requirements. Ensuring habitat preservation within its limited range is essential for its conservation.