The Anomalepididae are a family of nonvenomous snakes, native to Central and South America. They are similar to Typhlopidae, except that some species possess a single tooth in the lower jaw. Currently, four genera and 15 species are recognized.[2] Common names include primitive blind snake[2] and dawn blind snake.
| Anomalepididae | |
|---|---|
| |
| Pale-headed blindsnake (Liotyphlops beui) | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Infraorder: | Scolecophidia |
| Family: | Anomalepididae Taylor, 1939 |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Description edit
Species in the family Anomalepididae are small snakes, in total length (including tail) usually less than 30 cm (12 in), with blunt heads and short, blunt tails. They are mainly burrowing snakes, and due to their life style their eyes are vestigial.
Geographic range edit
The family Anomalepididae is found from Southern Central America to north-western South America. Disjunct populations occur in north-eastern and south-eastern South America.[1]
Genera edit
| Genus[2] | Taxon author[2] | Species[2] | Common name | Geographic range[1] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AnomalepisT | Jan, 1860 | 4 | From southern Central America in Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama, to north-western South America in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. | |
| Helminthophis | W. Peters, 1860 | 3 | From southern Central America in Costa Rica and Panama, to northwestern South America in Colombia and Venezuela. Possibly, one species has been introduced in Mauritius. | |
| Liotyphlops | W. Peters, 1881 | 12 | Central and South America from Costa Rica south to Paraguay. | |
| Typhlophis | Fitzinger, 1843 | 1 | Along the Atlantic coast of South America from the Guyanas to Pará state in northern Brazil. Also on the island of Trinidad. |
T) Type genus.[1]
References edit
- ^ a b c d McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré TA (1999). Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 1. Washington, District of Columbia: Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
- ^ a b c d e "Anomalepididae". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 29 August 2007.
External links edit
- Anomalepidae at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 3 November 2008.