''Ichthyophis mindanaoensis'', also known as Todaya caecilian or Mindanao Island caecilian, is a species of caecilian in the family Ichthyophiidae. It is endemic to the island of Mindanao, the Philippines.

Description

''Ichthyophis mindanaoensis'' was described based on two unsexed specimens, both measuring about in total length. The tail is short, about . The body width is . There are 308–317 transverse folds. The head is rounded and oval. The eyes are visible, covered by skin and slightly raised. A collection of larvae likely belonging to this species measure in total length, suggesting a relatively large size at metamorphosis. All but the largest larvae retain the

lateral line The lateral line, also called the lateral line organ (LLO), is a system of sensory organs found in fish, used to detect movement, vibration, and pressure gradients in the surrounding water. The sensory ability is achieved via modified epithelial ...

system.

Habitat and conservation

''Ichthyophis mindanaoensis'' occurs in lowland and submontane primary and secondary rainforests at elevations of

above sea level Height above mean sea level is a measure of the vertical distance (height, elevation or altitude) of a location in reference to a historic mean sea level taken as a vertical datum. In geodesy, it is formalized as ''orthometric heights''. The comb ...

, and probably higher. It has also been recorded in agricultural land adjacent to remnant natural forest patches. Adults are subterranean and have usually been observed under rocks, decaying logs and debris, and in shallow pools of mountain streams, but also in soil beside irrigation ditches. The larvae occur in unpolluted streams, rivers, and quiet pools near streams. This species has a very localized and patchy distribution, but it can be relatively abundant where it occurs. It is threatened by habitat loss and conversion, although it seems to be fairly adaptable, and might thereby not be significantly threatened, except locally. Furthermore, caecilians often killed because they are mistaken for snakes. ''Ichthyophis mindanaoensis'' is known from Mount Kitanglad Natural Park, Malagos Watershed Area, and

Mount Apo Natural Park Mount Apo, also known locally as Apo Sandawa, is a large solfataric, dormant stratovolcano on the island of Mindanao, Philippines. With an elevation of above sea level, it is the highest-mountain in the Philippine Archipelago, Mindanao and 24 ...

, all relatively well protected and enforced areas.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q1924288 mindanaoensis Amphibians of the Philippines Endemic fauna of the Philippines Fauna of Mindanao Amphibians described in 1960 Taxa named by Edward Harrison Taylor Taxonomy articles created by Polbot