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Amphisbaenia

(Family)

Overview

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The Amphisbaenia (or worm lizards) are a usually legless suborder of squamates closely related to lizards and snakes, comprising over 130 extant species. As many species possess a pink body coloration and scales arranged in rings, they have a superficial resemblance to earthworms. They are very poorly understood, due to their burrowing lifestyle and general rarity. Most species are found in Africa and South America, with a few in other parts of the world. Little is known of them outside of their anatomy, and even that is difficult to study due to the mechanics of dissecting something so small. Most species are less than 6 inches (150 mm) long.

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Close-up of the head of Rhineura

Despite a superficial resemblance to some primitive snakes, amphisbaenians have many unique features that distinguish them from other reptiles. Internally, their right lung is reduced in size to fit their narrow bodies, whereas in snakes, it is always the left lung. Their skeletal structure and skin are also different from those of other squamates.[2] Both molecular genetic and recent fossil evidence indicate that amphisbaenians lost their legs independently from snakes. [3]

The head is stout, not set off from the neck, and either rounded, sloped, or sloped with a ridge down the middle. Most of the skull is solid bone, and they have a distinctive single median tooth in the upper jaw. They have no outer ears, and the eyes are deeply recessed and covered with skin and scales. The body is elongated, and the tail truncates in a manner that vaguely resembles the head. Their name is derived from Amphisbaena, a mythical serpent with a head at each end. The four species of ajolote are unusual in having a pair of forelimbs, but all limbless species have some remnants of the pelvic and pectoral girdles embedded within the body musculature.

The skin of amphisbaenians is only loosely attached to the body, and they move using an accordion-like motion, in which the skin moves and the body seemingly just drags along behind it. Uniquely, they are also able to perform this motion in reverse just as effectively.

Amphisbaenians are carnivorous, able to tear chunks out of larger prey with their powerful, interlocking teeth. Like lizards, some species are able to shed their tail (autotomy). Most species lay eggs, although at least some are known to be viviparous.[2]

The white worm lizard (Amphisbaena alba) is often found in association with leaf cutter ants. It is thought this reptile forages in the ant's deep galleries where the insects deposit their waste. The larvae of certain large beetles live in these galleries and it is these the reptile preys on.[4]

Families

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Order: Squamata

found in association with leaf cutter ants. It is thought this reptile forages in the ant's deep galleries where the insects deposit their waste. The larvae of certain large beetles live in these galleries and it is these the reptile preys on.[4]

Families

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Order: Squamata

References

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  1. ^ Wu X.-c., D. B. Brinkman, A. P. Russell, Z.-m. Dong, P. J. Currie, L.-h. Hou, & G.-h. Cui (1993). "Oldest known amphisbaenian from the Upper Cretaceous of Chinese Inner Mongolia." Nature 366: 57-59.
  2. ^ a b Gans, Carl (1998). Cogger, H.G. & Zweifel, R.G.. ed. Encyclopedia of Reptiles and Amphibians. San Diego: Academic Press. pp. 212?215. ISBN 0-12-178560-2. 
  3. ^ Muller, J et al. (2011). "Eocene lizard from Germany reveals amphisbaenian origins." Nature 473: 364-367.
  4. ^ Piper, Ross (2007), Extraordinary Animals: An Encyclopedia of Curious and Unusual Animals, Greenwood Press.
  5. ^ "Amphisbaenidae". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=209627. Retrieved 19 August 2007. 
  6. ^ "Bipedidae". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=564539. Retrieved 19 August 2007. 
  7. ^ "Rhineuridae". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=564535. Retrieved 19 August 2007. 
  8. ^ "Trogonophidae". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=209638. Retrieved 19 August 2007. 

Taxonomy

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The Family Amphisbaenia is further organized into finer groupings including:

Genera

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Agamodon

Agamodon is a small genus of worm lizards in the Trogonophidae family. [more]

Bipes

Bipes - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
  • Bipes (genus), a genus of burrowing lizards with no front limbs and rear limbs reduced to stumps
  • Lerista bipes, a skink lizard species in the genus Lerista endemic to Australia
  • Nebalia bipes, a species of leptostracan crustacean

See also

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  • Bipedalism
[more]

Blanus

Blanus is a genus of in the Amphisbaenidae family. It contains the following species: [more]

Trogonophis

The checkerboard worm lizard, Trogonophis wiegmanni, is a species of reptile in the Trogonophidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Trogonophis.[] It is found in Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia. Its natural habitats are temperate forests, Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, temperate grassland, sandy shores, arable land, and pastureland. It is threatened by habitat loss. [more]

At least 3 species and subspecies belong to the Genus Trogonophis .

More info about the Genus Trogonophis may be found here.

References

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  1. ^ Wu X.-c., D. B. Brinkman, A. P. Russell, Z.-m. Dong, P. J. Currie, L.-h. Hou, & G.-h. Cui (1993). "Oldest known amphisbaenian from the Upper Cretaceous of Chinese Inner Mongolia." Nature 366: 57-59.
  2. ^ a b Gans, Carl (1998). Cogger, H.G. & Zweifel, R.G.. ed. Encyclopedia of Reptiles and Amphibians. San Diego: Academic Press. pp. 212?215. ISBN 0-12-178560-2. 
  3. ^ Muller, J et al. (2011). "Eocene lizard from Germany reveals amphisbaenian origins." Nature 473: 364-367.
  4. ^ Piper, Ross (2007), Extraordinary Animals: An Encyclopedia of Curious and Unusual Animals, Greenwood Press.
  5. ^ "Amphisbaenidae". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=209627. Retrieved 19 August 2007. 
  6. ^ "Bipedidae". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=564539. Retrieved 19 August 2007. 
  7. < b>^ "Rhineuridae". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=564535. Retrieved 19 August 2007. 
  8. ^ "Trogonophidae". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=209638. Retrieved 19 August 2007. 

Sources

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  • The text on this page is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It includes material from Wikipedia retrieved Wednesday, April 25, 2012.
  • The distribution map on the Distribution tab comes from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility and is used with permission.
  • Photographs on this page are copyrighted by individual photographers, and individual copyrights apply.
  • The technology underlying this page, including the controls behind Keep Exploring, is owned by the BayScience Foundation. All rights are reserved.
Last Revised: August 24, 2012
2012/08/24 13:23:33