New Legless Amphibian Species Discovered in Maharashtra’s Western Ghats, Named After Chandgadi Dialect
Gegeneophis chandgadi highlights the hidden subterranean biodiversity of the Northern Western Ghats
By Suman Munshi | IBG NEWS
Kolkata, September 12, 2026: A multi-institutional team of researchers has formally described a new species of subterranean, legless amphibian from Maharashtra’s Northern Western Ghats, adding another remarkable discovery to India’s growing record of hidden biodiversity.
Named Gegeneophis chandgadi, the newly described caecilian was recorded from Buzawade village in Chandgad tehsil of Kolhapur district. The species was formally published in the Records of the Zoological Survey of India on September 2, 2026. The internationally maintained Amphibian Species of the World database has subsequently listed the species, confirming its taxonomic status and type locality. (Amphibians of the World)
A tribute to Chandgad’s linguistic heritage
The name chandgadi carries a cultural significance beyond taxonomy. It honours the Chandgadi dialect of Marathi, spoken in the region where the species was discovered.
Researchers say the naming also reflects the importance of local communities and their familiarity with the landscape. Because caecilians spend most of their lives underground, observations by local residents can be particularly valuable in locating these otherwise elusive animals.
A mysterious amphibian that resembles a worm
Caecilians are among the least familiar groups of amphibians. Although their long, limbless bodies can make them appear similar to earthworms or small snakes, they are amphibians belonging to the order Gymnophiona.
Adapted to a largely subterranean existence, caecilians possess elongated bodies and specialised anatomical features that help them move through soil. Their ring-like skin folds, known as annuli, are important characteristics used by scientists to distinguish species. Gegeneophis chandgadi has a slender, flesh-coloured, worm-like body, with primary annuli extending along the body and secondary annuli concentrated towards the posterior portion. (GKToday)
DNA and morphology establish a distinct species
Identifying a new caecilian species is challenging because several closely related species can appear remarkably similar externally.
The research team therefore combined detailed morphological and meristic examination with molecular evidence, including mitochondrial genetic markers, to establish that the Buzawade specimens represented a distinct lineage. The published description includes comparative morphological and molecular information as well as identification characteristics for members of the genus Gegeneophis. (Amphibians of the World)
The study was authored by Sahil Shikalgar, Rahul N. Patil, Pranjal Adhav, Nirmal U. Kulkarni, N. C. Hirgond, N. P. Gramapurohit, Basudev Tripathy and K. P. Dinesh, representing institutions including the Zoological Survey of India, Yashwantrao Chavan Mahavidyalaya, Savitribai Phule Pune University and the Mhadei Research Centre.
Biodiversity hidden beyond protected forests
One of the most significant aspects of the discovery is its location. Gegeneophis chandgadi was recorded in a human-inhabited rural landscape, rather than exclusively inside a formally protected forest.
The finding demonstrates that important biodiversity can survive in agricultural and residential environments and that the conservation value of landscapes cannot always be judged solely by whether they fall within protected-area boundaries.
The type locality is currently the only confirmed distribution of the species, making its conservation status and habitat requirements particularly important subjects for further research. (Amphibians of the World)
Another reminder of the Western Ghats’ hidden biodiversity
The discovery adds to growing evidence that the Western Ghats still contain species that remain scientifically undocumented. The genus Gegeneophis is particularly associated with peninsular India and the Western Ghats, where several species have highly restricted distributions. (Ujiyari)
The description of Gegeneophis chandgadi also comes amid further caecilian discoveries from the Western Ghats in 2026, underlining the importance of continued field surveys of soil, leaf litter, agricultural margins and other poorly investigated microhabitats.
Why the discovery matters
For conservation scientists, the significance of Gegeneophis chandgadi goes beyond adding another name to a species list.
Subterranean animals are inherently difficult to detect. Consequently, biodiversity surveys focused primarily on visible wildlife can overlook entire components of an ecosystem. Documenting such species before their habitats undergo major transformation is essential for understanding the true biological richness of regions such as the Western Ghats.
The discovery therefore strengthens the case for long-term, fine-scale biodiversity surveys, particularly in landscapes where agricultural activity, development and other forms of habitat change are increasing.
A species at the intersection of science and culture
The naming of Gegeneophis chandgadi is also a reminder that modern taxonomy can preserve elements of local identity. By connecting the scientific name of an elusive amphibian with the Chandgadi linguistic heritage of its home region, the researchers have created a link between biodiversity, local knowledge and cultural heritage.
For the Northern Western Ghats, the tiny underground amphibian is another indication that the region’s natural history is far from completely documented.
The discovery of Gegeneophis chandgadi shows that sometimes the next major addition to India’s biodiversity record may be living quietly beneath the soil.
Source: Records of the Zoological Survey of India; Amphibian Species of the World, American Museum of Natural History. (Amphibians of the World)
Amphibian Species of the World — Gegeneophis chandgadi
