Monopeltis capensis

Monopeltis capensis
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Clade:	Amphisbaenia
Family:	Amphisbaenidae
Genus:	Monopeltis
Species:	M. capensis
Binomial name
Monopeltis capensis A. Smith, 1848
Synonyms [2]
Monopeltis capensis A. Smith, 1848 Monotrophis capensis — Gray, 1865 ( ex errore ) Lepidosternon capense — Strauch, 1881 Monopeltis capensis — Broadley, 1962

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.

Geographic range

M. capensis is found in Botswana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. ^[2]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitats of M. capensis are grassland, shrubland, and savanna. ^[1]

Description

M. capensis is uniformly pinkish white, both dorsally and ventrally. Adults usually have a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 20–30 cm (7.9–11.8 in). The maximum recorded SVL is 34 cm (13 in). ^[3]

Diet

M. capensis burrows in red soils to preys upon beetle larvae, termites, and other small invertebrates. ^[3]

Reproduction

M. capensis is viviparous. ^[2] A brood of 1–3 is born in summer. Each neonate has a total length (including tail) of 9–10 cm (3.5–3.9 in). ^[3]

References

1. Measey GJ (2018). "Monopeltis capensis ". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T196964A115664500. https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T196964A115664500.en. Downloaded on 02 April 2019.
2. Monopeltis capensis at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database . Accessed 24 February 2019.
3. Branch, Bill (2004). Snakes and other Reptiles of Southern Africa. Third Revised edition, Second impression. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 399 pp. ISBN   0-88359-042-5. (Monopeltis capensis, p. 125).

Further reading

• Broadley DG (1997). "A review of the Monopeltis capensis complex in southern Africa (Reptilia: Amphisbaenidae)". African Journal of Herpetology46 (1): 1–12. (Monopeltis capensis, p. 8).
• Gans C (2005). "Checklist and Bibliography of the Amphisbaenia of the World". Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History (289): 1–130. (Monopeltis capensis, p. 35).
• Measey GJ, Tolley KA (2013). "A molecular phylogeny for sub-Saharan amphisbaenians". African Journal of Herpetology62 (2): 100–108.
• Smith A (1848). Illustrations of the Zoology of South Africa; Consisting Chiefly of Figures and Descriptions of the Objects of Natural History Collected during an Expedition into the Interior of South Africa, in the Years 1834, 1835, and 1836; Fitted out by "The Cape of Good Hope Association for Exploring Central Africa:" Together with a Summary of African Zoology, and an Inquiry into the Geographical Ranges of Species in that Quarter of the Globe. [Volume III. Reptilia]. London: Lords Commissioners of her Majesty's Treasury. (Smith, Elder and Co., printers). 78 plates + unnumbered pages of text. (Monopeltis capensis, new species, Plate 67 + two unnumbered pages).