| Zygaspis quadrifrons | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Amphisbaenidae |
| Genus: | Zygaspis |
| Species: | Z. quadrifrons |
| Binomial name | |
| Zygaspis quadrifrons (Peters, 1862) | |
Zygaspis quadrifrons, also known as the Kalahari dwarf worm lizard or Kalahari round-snouted worm lizard, is a worm lizard species in the family Amphisbaenidae. It is found in southern Africa. [1]
Amphisbaenia is a group of usually legless squamates, 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. Although superficially similar to the snakes and blind lizards, recent phylogenetic studies suggest that they are most closely related to the true lizards. Amphisbaenians are widely distributed, occurring in North America, Europe, Africa, South America, Western Asia and the Caribbean. They are not found east of the Caspian Sea. Most species are less than 6 inches (150 mm) long.
The Amphisbaenidae, common name worm lizards, are a family of amphisbaenians, a group of limbless vertebrates.
Quadrifrons is a Latin word meaning four-fronted or four-faced, and may refer to:
The Iberian worm lizard, Mediterranean worm lizard, or European worm lizard is a species of reptile in the family Blanidae of the clade Amphisbaenia. There are 130 species of amphisbaenians, found mostly in South America, the Caribbean, Africa and the Arabian and Iberian peninsulas. The Iberian worm lizard is locally known as cobra-cega (Portuguese), culebrilla ciega (Spanish), and colobreta cega (Catalan), all meaning "blind snake". Recent studies into the mitochondrial and nuclear genomic data of 47 isolated B. cinereus populations show rather large sequence divergence between two apparent clades, leading some researchers to call for a division of the Iberian worm lizard into two species. While little is known of B. cinereus in comparison with some other reptile species, new insight is growing about this primitive, ancestral reptile.
Blanus is a genus of amphisbaenians found in the Mediterranean region of Europe and North Africa. Like other amphisbaenians, Blanus are specialized for a subterranean existence, with a long, slender body, reduced limbs, and rudimentary eyes. The skull is powerfully constructed, allowing the animal to push through soil to create a burrow. The jaws are well-developed, with large, recurved teeth and a pair of canine-like teeth in the upper jaw.
Amphisbaena is a genus in the family Amphisbaenidae, commonly known as worm lizards, even though they are not lizards. Over 100 species are placed in this diverse genus.
The Eastern Congolian swamp forests are a fairly intact but underresearched ecoregion of the tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests biome. It is located within the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This is the eastern half of one of the largest areas of swamps in the world.
Zygaspis is a genus of lizards in the family Amphisbaenidae. Species in the genus are commonly known as purple round-headed worm lizards, and are native to equatorial and southern Africa.
Monopeltis is a genus of amphisbaenians in the family Amphisbaenidae. Species in the genus are commonly known as worm lizards, even though they are not lizards. The genus is endemic to southern Africa. 19 species are placed in this genus.
The Kalahari worm lizard, also known commonly as the Kalahari spade-snouted worm lizard, is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is indigenous to southern Africa.
Zygaspis dolichomenta is a worm lizard species in the family Amphisbaenidae. It is endemic to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Zygaspis ferox is a worm lizard species in the family Amphisbaenidae. It is endemic to Zimbabwe.
Zygaspis kafuensis is a worm lizard species in the family Amphisbaenidae. It is endemic to Zambia.
Zygaspis maraisi is a worm lizard species in the family Amphisbaenidae. It is endemic to Mozambique.
Zygaspis nigra is a worm lizard species in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is endemic to southern Africa.
Van Dam’s dwarf worm lizard, also known commonly as the sand-dwelling dwarf worm lizard and Van Dam's round-headed worm lizard, is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is native to southern Africa. There are two recognized subspecies.
Zygaspis violacea is a worm lizard species in the family Amphisbaenidae. It is endemic to Mozambique.
Eremias quadrifrons is a species of lizard endemic to China.
Leonhardi is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: