Amphisbaena mertensii
| Amphisbaena mertensii | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Amphisbaena mertensii | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Amphisbaenia |
| Family: | Amphisbaenidae |
| Genus: | Amphisbaena |
| Species: | A. mertensii |
| Binomial name | |
| Amphisbaena mertensii Strauch, 1881 | |
| Synonyms | |
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.[2] This species is also able to defend itself against dangerous predators such as snakes by releasing a foul discharge from its cloacal region.[2]
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
Further reading
- Boulenger, G.A. 1885. Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum (Natural History). Second Edition. Volume II...Amphisbænidæ. London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers.) xiii + 497 pp. + Plates I.- XXIV. (Amphisbæna mertensii, p. 441.)
- Gans, C. 2005. Checklist and Bibliography of the Amphisbaenia of the World. Bull. American Mus. Nat. Hist. (289): 1-130. (Amphisbaena mertensii, p. 17.)
- Strauch, A. 1881. Bemerkungen über die Eidechsenfamilie der Amphisbaeniden. Mélange biologiques tirés du Bulletin physico-mathématique de l'Academie des Sciences de Saint-Pétersburg 11: 355-479. (Amphisbaena mertensii, p. 385.)
See also
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