Abstract
The Apoda or Gymnophiona, commonly known as caecilians, are an obscure group of tropical forest amphibians. The majority burrow in soft damp earth, though one family, the Typhlonectidae, comprises riverine forms. Caecilians resemble large earthworms having a cylindrical body with numerous transverse rings and no legs or tail. Because of their habits they are seldom seen, but are possibly not uncommon locally. There are 150 species in 20 genera, widespread in the appropriate habitats in the tropics and no doubt more will be discovered.
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© 1981 J. E. Webb, J. A. Wallwork and J. H. Elgood
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Webb, J.E., Wallwork, J.A., Elgood, J.H. (1981). Caecilians. In: Guide to Living Amphibians. Classification Guides. Palgrave, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-16543-8_5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-16543-8_5
Publisher Name: Palgrave, London
Print ISBN: 978-0-333-30601-7
Online ISBN: 978-1-349-16543-8
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