Bachia panoplia

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Bachia panoplia
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Lacertoidea
Family: Gymnophthalmidae
Genus: Bachia
Species:
B. panoplia
Binomial name
Bachia panoplia
Thomas, 1965

Bachia panoplia is a species of lizard in the family Gymnophthalmidae. [2] It is endemic to Brazil.

Contents

Description

Bachia panoplia is a small, terrestrial, snake-like lizard with an elongated body and reduced limbs, typical of the genus Bachia. [3] Like other fossorial gymnophthalmid lizards of the genus, it lacks external ear openings, has an elongate body and tail, and presents a distinctive eyelid structure with substantial variation in levels of limb reduction. [4] The species is oviparous, laying eggs with little embryonic development within the mother. [5] Bachia panoplia belongs to the bresslaui group within the genus, and exhibits intermediate limb morphology relative to other Bachia species and closely related genera. [6]

Habitat and distribution

Bachia panoplia is known from specimens collected in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, [4] indicating its presence in the Amazon rainforest region. Members of the genus Bachia typically occupy neotropical forest floor habitats, spending most of their time moving through leaf litter and soil. [7]

Ecology and behavior

Like other Bachia species, B. panoplia likely hunts for soft-bodied insects, particularly termites and ant larvae in underground nests. [7] These lizards occasionally venture into decomposing wood where they may capture beetle larvae. Their snake-like appearance and fossorial adaptations allow them to move efficiently through the substrate in search of prey. [8] Bachia species are considered shallow burrowers, showing morphological and behavioral traits indicating fossorial habits, including burrowing when disturbed. [9]

Taxonomy

The genus Bachia has been traditionally divided into species groups based on morphological features, with B. panoplia belonging to the bresslaui group. [10] However, recent molecular phylogenetic studies have challenged these traditional morphological groupings, suggesting they may not represent natural, monophyletic arrangements. [11]

Conservation status

The species is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, though like many small, fossorial reptiles, detailed information about population status and trends is limited.

References

  1. ↑ Colli, G.R.; Fenker, J.; Tedeschi, L.; Bataus, Y.S.L.; Uhlig, V.M.; Lima, A.; Nogueira, C. de C.; Borges-Nojosa, D.M.; Costa, G.C.; de Moura, G.J.B.; Winck, G.; Silva, J.R.S.; Viñas, L.V.; Ribeiro Júnior, M.A.; Hoogmoed, M.S.; Tinôco, M.S.T.; Almeida-Santos, P.; Valadão, R.; de Oliveira, R.B.; Avila-Pires, T.C.S.; Ferreira, V.L.; de Menezes, V.A. (2019). "Bachia panoplia". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019: e.T178583A44955366. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T178583A44955366.pt . Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. ↑ Bachia panoplia at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database . Accessed 18 July 2019.
  3. ↑ Colli, G.R.; Zatz, M.G.; da Cunha, H.J. (1998). "Notes on the ecology and geographical distribution of the rare gymnophthalmid lizard Bachia bresslaui". Herpetologica. 54 (2): 169–174.
  4. 1 2 Rodrigues, M.T.; Camacho, A.; Nunes, P.M.S.; Recoder, R.S.; Teixeira, M.; Valdujo, P.H.; Ghellere, J.M.; Mott, T.; Nogueira, C. (2008). "A new species of the lizard genus Bachia (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae) from the Cerrados of Central Brazil". Zootaxa. 1875: 39–50.
  5. ↑ "Bachia panoplia". Animalia.bio. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  6. ↑ Kizirian, D.A.; McDiarmid, R.W. (1998). "A new species of Bachia (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae) with plesiomorphic limb morphology". Herpetologica. 54 (2): 245–253.
  7. 1 2 Wizen, Gil (2022). "Bachia lizards – look, no hands!" . Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  8. ↑ Ramos-Pallares, E.; Anaya-Rojas, J.M.; Serrano-Cardozo, V.H.; Ramírez-Pinilla, M.P. (2015). "Feeding and Reproductive Ecology of Bachia bicolor (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae) in Urban Ecosystems from Colombia". Journal of Herpetology. 49 (1): 108–118.
  9. ↑ Teixeira, M., Jr.; Recoder, R.S.; Camacho, A.; Nunes, P.M.S.; Mott, T.; Valdujo, P.H.; Ghellere, J.M.B.; Nogueira, C.; Rodrigues, M.T. (2013). "A new species of Bachia Gray, 1845 (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae) from the Eastern Brazilian Cerrado, and data on its ecology, physiology and behavior". Zootaxa. 3616 (2): 573–586.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ↑ Dixon, J.R. (1973). "A systematic review of the teiid lizards, genus Bachia, with remarks on Heterodactylus and Anotosaura". Miscellaneous Publications of the Museum of Natural History of the University of Kansas. 57: 1–47.
  11. ↑ Kohlsdorf, T.; Wagner, G.P. (2006). "Evidence for the reversibility of digit loss: A phylogenetic study of limb evolution in Bachia (Gymnophthalmidae: Squamata)". Evolution. 60 (9): 1896–1912.
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