| Amphisbaena mertensii | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Amphisbaenidae |
| Genus: | Amphisbaena |
| Species: | A. mertensii |
| Binomial name | |
| Amphisbaena mertensii | |
| Synonyms [2] | |
Amphisbaena mertensii, also known as the Mertens' worm lizard or Mertens's worm lizard, is a species of worm lizard in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is endemic to South America.
Amphisbaenians are fossorial reptiles with few predators due to their powerful bite and writhing defensive tactics. [3] However, some snakes have been found feeding on amphisbaenians including A. mertensii. [3] This species is also able to defend itself against dangerous predators such as snakes by releasing a foul discharge from its cloacal region. [3]
The specific name, mertensii, is in honor of a Dr. Mertens who collected the holotype. [4] [5]
A. mertensii is found in northern Argentina, southeastern Brazil, and eastern Paraguay. [2]
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.
The Amphisbaenidae are a family of amphisbaenians, a group of limbless vertebrates.
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.
Darwin's ringed worm lizard is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae, endemic to South America.
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.
Heath's worm lizard is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is endemic to Brazil, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte.
Vanzolini's worm lizard is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is native to northern South America.
Amphisbaena ridleyi, known by the common names Ridley's worm lizard or the Noronha worm lizard, is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is endemic to the island of Fernando de Noronha off the coast of Brazil. It is one of two indigenous reptiles on the island.
Amphisbaena schmidti, known commonly as Schmidt's worm lizard or the Puerto Rican dusky worm lizard, is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is endemic to the Caribbean.
Leposternon microcephalum, also known commonly as the smallhead worm lizard, is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae in the reptilian order Squamata. The species is endemic to South America.
The Cuban many-ringed amphisbaena, also known commonly as the Cuban many-ringed worm lizard, is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is endemic to Cuba.
Hoge's worm lizard is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is endemic to Brazil.
King's worm lizard is a species of worm lizard in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is endemic to South America.
The Rio Grande worm lizard is a species of worm lizard in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is endemic to Brazil.
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.
Slevin's worm lizard is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is endemic to northern South America.
Amphisbaena steindachneri is a species of worm lizard in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is endemic to South America.
Stejneger's worm lizard is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is endemic to Guyana.
 | This lizard article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
