Lang's worm lizard (Chirindia langi) is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is native to Southern Africa. There are two recognized subspecies.
Lang's worm lizard | |
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Soutpansberg worm lizard (Chirindia langi occidentalis) | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Family: | Amphisbaenidae |
Genus: | Chirindia |
Species: | C. langi
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Binomial name | |
Chirindia langi V. FitzSimons, 1939
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Etymology
editThe specific name, langi, is in honor of German taxidermist Herbert Lang.[2]
Geographic range
editC. langi is found in Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.[3]
Habitat
editThe preferred natural habitat of C. langi is savanna, at altitudes of 230–1,400 m (750–4,590 ft).[1]
Description
editAdults of C. langi usually have a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 12–14 cm (4.7–5.5 in). The maximum recorded SVL is 15.8 cm (6.2 in). It is slender, and its coloration is uniformly pink.[4]
Reproduction
editSubspecies
editTwo subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.[3]
- Chirindia langi langi V. FitzSimons, 1939
- Chirindia langi occidentalis Jacobsen, 1984
References
edit- ^ a b Measey GJ (2018). "Chirindia langi ". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T196957A115664040. https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T196957A115664040.en. Downloaded on 22 March 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. (Chirindia langi, p. 150).
- ^ a b c Chirindia langi at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 24 February 2019.
- ^ Branch, Bill (2004). Field Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of Southern Africa. Third Revised edition, Second impression. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 399 pp., 112 color plates. ISBN 0-88359-042-5. (Chirindia langi, p. 122 + Plate 42).
Further reading
edit- Broadley DG, Gans C (1978). "Southern forms of Chirindia (Amphisbaenia, Reptilia)". Annals of Carnegie Museum 47: 29–51. (Chirindia langi, pp. 46, 48 + Figures 4–8).
- FitzSimons VFM (1939). "Descriptions of some new species and subspecies of lizards from South Africa". Annals of the Transvaal Museum 20 (1): 5–16. (Chirindia langi, new species).
- Jacobsen NHG (1984). "A new subspecies of Chirindia langi (Reptilia: Amphisbaenia) from southern Africa, with notes on the ecology of the species". Annals of the Transvaal Museum 33 (26): 391–398. (Chirindia langi occidentalis, new subspecies).