Cat Loc Caecilian – Ichthyophis catlocensis – Geissler, Poyarkov, Grismer, Nguyen, An, Neang, Kupfer, Ziegler, Böhme & Müller, 2015

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

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

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

Description: Physical Characteristics:

Body: Worm-like, rounded, and robust.
Size: Medium, with a total length of approximately 20 cm.
Head: Narrower at the rear, with a rounded snout when viewed from the side.
Eyes: Small and visible beneath a transparent layer of skin, located between the mouth and the top of the head.
Body: 342 annuli (segmented rings) and 110 vertebrae. The body is dark gray, and the skin is smooth.
Tail: Short, with five annuli near the cloaca and a tapered tip resembling a mushroom-like cap.
Unlike some other Ichthyophis species, I. catlocensis does not have the distinct yellow lateral stripes along its body.

Distribution and habitat: Elevation:

Found at approximately 135 meters above sea level.
Geographic Range:

Ichthyophis catlocensis is known only from a single locality within Cat Tien National Park, Cat Loc, Lam Dong Province, Vietnam. Its range may extend to other nearby regions with similar habitats, such as the lowland areas of Dak Nong, Binh Phuoc, Dong Nai, and Binh Thuan Provinces in Vietnam, and possibly Mondolkiri and Kratie Provinces in Cambodia.
Habitat:

This species inhabits bamboo-dominated tropical forests and has been observed hiding under stones during the day. Like other caecilians, I. catlocensis is fossorial, living much of its life underground. Its habitat is described as disturbed due to agricultural activities.

Behaviour and ecology: This species’ life history and reproductive behavior remain largely unknown. It is assumed to follow similar reproductive strategies as other Ichthyophis species, which lay terrestrial eggs with stream-dwelling larvae.
I. catlocensis occurs sympatrically with I. nguyenorum in the same region.

Conservation and status: IUCN Red List Category and Criteria:

Ichthyophis catlocensis is listed as Data Deficient due to limited information about its population size, ecology, and distribution. The species was last assessed in 2015.
Population Trend:

Unknown, and no data is available on the number of mature individuals.
Threats:

Habitat disturbance due to agricultural activities is noted in the species’ known range, though the impact of these threats on its population is unclear.
Conservation Actions:

Further surveys and research are needed to clarify the species’ full range, population status, and ecological needs.