Monopeltis capensis

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

Last updated October 19, 2023

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]

Related Research Articles

Darwin's ringed worm lizard is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae, endemic to South America.

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.

Lang's worm lizard is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is native to Southern Africa. There are two recognized subspecies.

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.

De Coster's worm lizard, also known commonly as De Coster's spade-snouted worm lizard and De Coster's worm-lizard, is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is indigenous to southern Africa.

The helmeted worm lizard is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is native to the west coast of Central 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.

Monopeltis infuscata, also known commonly as the dusky spade-snouted worm lizard, the dusky worm lizard, and the infuscate wedge-snouted amphisbaenian, is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is indigenous to southern Africa.

The Kabinda worm lizard is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is native to Central Africa.

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.

Monopeltis luandae is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is endemic to Angola.

Monopeltis perplexus is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is endemic to Angola.

Monopeltis rhodesiana is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is native to southern Africa.

The carved worm lizard is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is endemic to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. There are two recognized subspecies.

Monopeltis sphenorhynchus, also known commonly as Maurice's slender worm lizard, Maurice's spade-snouted worm lizard, and the slender spade-snouted worm lizard, is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is native to southern Africa. There are two recognized subspecies.

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.

Monopeltis zambezensis is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is indigenous to southern Africa.

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.

Monopeltis mauricei, Maurice's slender worm lizard or Maurice's spade-snouted worm lizard, is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species found in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

References

1 2 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.
1 2 3 Monopeltis capensis at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database . Accessed 24 February 2019.
1 2 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).