The Kilwa sharp-snouted worm lizard (Ancylocranium ionidesi) is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is endemic to Tanzania. There are two recognized subspecies.[2]
| Kilwa sharp-snouted worm lizard | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Amphisbaenidae |
| Genus: | Ancylocranium |
| Species: | A. ionidesi
|
| Binomial name | |
| Ancylocranium ionidesi Loveridge, 1955
| |
Etymology edit
The specific name, ionidesi, is in honor of British game warden Constantine John Philip Ionides (1901–1968), who was known as the "Snake Man of British East Africa".[3]
Geographic range edit
A. ionidesi is found in southeastern Tanzania.[1]
Habitat edit
The preferred natural habitat of A. ionidesi is forest, at altitudes around 500 m (1,600 ft).[1]
Behavior edit
A. ionidesi is terrestrial and fossorial.[1]
Diet edit
A. ionidesi preys upon small invertebrates such as termites.[1]
Reproduction edit
Subspecies edit
There are two subspecies that are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.[2]
- Ancylocranium ionidesi haasi Gans & Kochva, 1966
- Ancylocranium ionidesi ionidesi Loveridge, 1955
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f Msuya, C.A.; Ngalason, W.; Howell, K. (2014). "Ancylocranium ionidesi ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T20878073A20878077. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T20878073A20878077.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
- ^ a b c Ancylocranium ionidesi at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 24 February 2019.
- ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Ancylcranium ionidesi, p. 130).
Further reading edit
- Broadley DG, Howell KM (1991). "A check list of the reptiles of Tanzania, with synoptic keys". Syntarsus 1: 1–70. (Ancylocranium ionidesi haasi and Ancylocranium ionidesi ionidesi, p. 20).
- Gans C, Kochva E (1966) ("1965"). "A systematic review of Ancylocranium (Amphisbaenia: Reptilia)". [Notes on amphisbaenids 22]. Israel Journal of Zoology 14: 87–121. (Ancylocranium ionidesi haasi, new subspecies).
- Loveridge A (1955). "On a second collection of reptiles and amphibians taken in Tanganyika Territory by C. J. P. Ionides". Journal of the East African Natural History Society 22: 168–198. (Ancylocranium ionidesi, new species, pp. 169, 177–179).
- Spawls S, Howell K, Hinkel H, Menegon M (2018). Field Guide to East African Reptiles, Second Edition. London: Bloomsbury Natural History. 624 pp. ISBN 978-1472935618. (Ancylocranium ionidesi, p. 324).
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