Ichthyophis kohtaoensis Taylor, 1960

Nomenclature and Classification

Ichthyophis kohtaoensis, first described by Taylor in 1960, is commonly called the Koh Tao Island caecilian. This species of caecilian amphibian belongs to the family Ichthyophiidae.

Distribution and Synonymy

It has been recorded in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and also southern China; it is also sometimes referred to by the synonym Ichthyophis bannanicus, the Banna caecilian.

Natural Habitats

Its natural habitats include subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, rivers, intermittent rivers, swamps, freshwater marshes, intermittent freshwater marshes, plantations, rural gardens, urban areas, heavily degraded former forests, irrigated land, and seasonally flooded agricultural land.

Conservation Threat

This species is currently threatened by habitat loss.

Etymology and Type Specimen Origin

Its scientific name references Ko Tao Island in the Gulf of Siam, which is where the type specimen of the species was collected.