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
Soutpansberg worm lizard
(Chirindia langi occidentalis)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Amphisbaenidae
Genus: Chirindia
Species:
C. langi
Binomial name
Chirindia langi

Etymology

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The specific name, langi, is in honor of German taxidermist Herbert Lang.[2]

Geographic range

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C. langi is found in Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.[3]

Habitat

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The preferred natural habitat of C. langi is savanna, at altitudes of 230–1,400 m (750–4,590 ft).[1]

Description

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Adults 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

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C. langi is oviparous.[3]

Subspecies

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Two subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.[3]

References

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ 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).
  3. ^ a b c Chirindia langi at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 24 February 2019.
  4. ^ 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

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  • 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).