Amphisbaena mertensii

Amphisbaena mertensii
Amphisbaena mertensii
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Amphisbaenia
Family: Amphisbaenidae
Genus: Amphisbaena
Species: A. mertensii
Binomial name
Amphisbaena mertensii
Strauch, 1881
Synonyms
  • Amphisbaena mertensii
    Strauch, 1881
  • Amphisbaena bohlsii Boulenger, 1894
  • Amphisbaena mattogrossensis
    Peracca, 1898
  • Amphisbaena carrucci Masi, 1911
  • Amphisbaena boulengeri Masi, 1911
  • Amphisbaena albissima
    Amaral, 1932
  • Amphisbaena mertensi Cei, 1993
  • Amphisbaena mertensii
    Gans, 2005[1]

Amphisbaena mertensii is a worm lizard species in the genus Amphisbaena. This species is endemic to South America. Amphisbaenians are fossorial reptiles with few predators due to their powerful bite and writhing defensive tactics. [2] However, some snakes have been found feeding on Amphisbaenians including A. mertensii. [3] This species is also able to defend itself against dangerous predators such as snakes by releasing a foul discharge from its cloacal region. [4]

Etymology

The specific name, mertensii, is in honor of German naturalist Karl Heinrich Mertens.

Geographic range

It is found in northern Argentina, southeastern Brazil, and eastern Paraguay.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
  2. Barbo, F.E., Marques, O.A.V., 2003, Do aglyphous colubrid snakes prey on live amphisbaenids able to bite. Phyllomedusa, 2(2): 113-114.
  3. Barbo, F.E., Marques, O.A.V., 2003, Do aglyphous colubrid snakes prey on live amphisbaenids able to bite. Phyllomedusa, 2(2): 113-114.
  4. Barbo, F.E., Marques, O.A.V., 2003, Do aglyphous colubrid snakes prey on live amphisbaenids able to bite. Phyllomedusa, 2(2): 113-114.

Further reading

See also


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