| Amphisbaena absaberi | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Clade: | Amphisbaenia |
| Family: | Amphisbaenidae |
| Genus: | Amphisbaena |
| Species: | A. absaberi |
| Binomial name | |
| Amphisbaena absaberi (Strüssmann & Carvalho, 2001) | |
 | |
Amphisbaena absaberi is a worm lizard species in the family Amphisbaenidae. It is endemic to Brazil, and is known only from its type location. [2]
Amphisbaena absaberi is named in honor of Brazilian geographer Aziz Nacib Ab'Sáber. [3]
The holotype of this species was collected on 15 January 1993 in Cáceres, Brazil, in a cerradão area disturbed by bulldozer activity. [3] Originally classified as Cerclophia absaberi, it was transferred to genus Amphisbaena in 2009 following the completion of a phylogenetic study. [4]
Amphisbaena absaberi has a snout-vent length (SVL) of approximately 300mm and a mass of up to 22g, with males slightly larger than females. Total body length is up to 325mm. The holotype is light brown on its dorsal surface with its tail a conspicuously darker shade of brown. [3] The tail itself is rounded and compressed. [5] It has 239-242 body annuli and two precloacal pores. Its head is compressed relative to other members of its genus, and it has a distinct dorsal sulcus and a segmented caudal keel. [3]
What little is known of the ecology of Amphisbaena absaberi is inferred from its holotype and paratypes. Like many others of its genus, Amphisbaena absaberi is fossorial and is likely insectivorous. [3]
Amphisbaenia is a group of typically legless lizards, comprising over 200 extant species. Amphisbaenians are characterized by their long bodies, the reduction or loss of the limbs, and rudimentary eyes. As many species have a pink body and scales arranged in rings, they have a superficial resemblance to earthworms. While the genus Bipes retains forelimbs, all other genera are limbless. Phylogenetic studies suggest that they are nested within Lacertoidea, closely related to the lizard family Lacertidae. Amphisbaenians are widely distributed, occurring in North America, Europe, Africa, South America, Western Asia and the Caribbean. Most species are less than 6 inches (15 cm) long.
Amphisbaena fuliginosa, also known as the black-and-white worm lizard, speckled worm lizard or spotted worm lizard, is a species of amphisbaenian in the genus Amphisbaena. The ecology of A. fuliginosa is poorly known due to its fossorial habits. However, this species can be easily distinguished from others because of its characteristic white and black mosaic pattern that covers both the dorsal and ventral side.
Amphisbaena is a genus in the family Amphisbaenidae, commonly known as worm lizards. Over 100 species are placed in this diverse genus.
Amphisbaena alba, also known as the red worm lizard or less commonly as the white or white-bellied worm lizard, is a species of amphisbaenian in the reptilian order Squamata. Despite the large geographic range that this species covers, little is known about its ecology due to its secretive habits. A. alba has a diverse diet ranging from plant material to small vertebrates. Numerically, beetles, ants, and spiders compose the majority of their diet; however, ants, insect larvae, beetles, cockroaches, hemipterans, mole crickets, crickets, grasshoppers, termites, spiders, scorpions, pseudoscorpions, and annelids are ingested to satisfy a larger volume. The females are somewhat larger than the males, and can reach over 80 cm, which is quite large for an amphisbaenian. They are known to bury themselves in leafcutter ant nests and hide in the ants' garbage dump areas to avoid irritating the ants into attacking, and to bury themselves to avoid predation in general.
The Carvalho worm lizard, also known commonly as Carvalho's worm lizard, is a species of worm lizard in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is endemic to Brazil.
Silvestri's worm lizard is a species of worm lizard in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is endemic to South America.
Amphisbaena albocingulata is a worm lizard species in the family Amphisbaenidae. It is endemic to Paraguay. It is light brown in coloration, distinguishable from other lizards in the genus by a rounded snout and visible caudal autotomy.
Amphisbaena borelli is a species of worm lizard in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is native to central South America.
Amphisbaena carli is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is endemic to Brazil.
Hoge's worm lizard is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is endemic to Brazil.
Amphisbaena hoogmoedi is a species of worm lizard in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is endemic to Brazil.
King's worm lizard is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is endemic to South America.
Amphisbaena kiriri is a species of worm lizard in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is endemic to northeastern Brazil.
The Rio Grande worm lizard is a species of worm lizard in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is endemic to Brazil.
Amphisbaena roberti is a species of worm lizard in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is endemic to South America.
Roze's worm lizard is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is endemic to Venezuela.
Slater's worm lizard is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is endemic to western South America.
Amphisbaena steindachneri is a species of worm lizard in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is endemic to South America.
Leposternon kisteumacheri is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is endemic to Brazil.
Amphisbaena mebengokre is a species of worm lizard in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is endemic to Brazil.
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