| Leposternon microcephalum | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Amphisbaenidae |
| Genus: | Leposternon |
| Species: | L. microcephalum |
| Binomial name | |
| Leposternon microcephalum Wagler, 1824 | |
| Synonyms [2] | |
| |
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.
L. microcephalum is found in southern Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and northern Argentina. [1] [2] It occurs in the Itatiaia National Park between Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais in Brazil. [3]
Amphisbaenians have few predators due to their fossorial habits, powerful bite, and defensive tactics. However, some snakes have been found feeding on amphisbaenians including L. microcephalum. [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.
The Amphisbaenidae are a family of amphisbaenians, a group of limbless vertebrates.
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.
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 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.
Leposternon is a genus of amphisbaenians in the family Amphisbaenidae. Species in the genus are commonly known as worm lizards. 11 species are placed in this genus.
King's worm lizard is a species of worm lizard in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is endemic to South America.
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.
The Bahia worm lizard is a worm lizard species in the family Amphisbaenidae. It is endemic to Brazil.
Monopeltis anchietae, also known commonly as Anchieta's worm lizard, Anchieta's spade-snouted worm lizard, and the Angolan spade-snouted worm lizard, is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is native to southern Africa.
Monopeltis capensis, also known commonly as the Cape spade-snouted worm lizard, the Cape wedge-snouted worm lizard, the Cape worm lizard, and the South African shield-snouted amphisbaenian, is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is native to southern Africa.
The Western Congo worm lizard is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is endemic to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Gaboon worm lizard is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is native to the west coast of Central Africa.
The Vanderyst worm lizard, also known commonly as Vanderyst's worm lizard, is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is native to Central Africa. There are two recognized subspecies.
Dalophia welwitschii is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is endemic to Angola.
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