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Concept
Mexican blind lizard
Résumé
The Mexican blind lizard (Anelytropsis papillosus) is a species of legless lizard in the family Dibamidae, and the only species in the genus Anelytropsis. It is endemic to Mexico. They look like Amphisbaenia, but are in fact, only distantly related.
Although early authors did not discuss the etymology, the generic name, Anelytropsis, is presumed to be based on the Greek words: ana = up opon; elytron = shield; ops = eye, in reference to the eyes which are concealed by ocular scales. The trivial name or specific epithet, papillosus, is Latin and refers to the minute papillae present on the scales in the anterior areas of the mouth and nose (rostral scale, first labial scale, and loreal).
The Mexican blind lizard is a limbless lizard, adapted for burrowing. The head is discernible from the cylindrical body by only a slightly greater width. There are no ear openings and each eye is entirely concealed under a single ocular plate. There are three large plates on the top of the head. The scales on the body are "scinciod", smooth with rounded edges, and may occur in even or odd numbered rows. It is a small species, ranging 20 - 50 cm. in total length. The tail is about one fourth of the total length of the lizard. Anelytropsis are brownish to flesh-colored, with some individuals exhibiting patches of pale scales producing a faint piebald appearance.
Anelytropsis papillosus is endemic to Mexico. It is known from northeastern regions of the country at elevations from 300 to 2300 meters, including southern Tamaulipas, eastern San Luis Potosí, northern Hidalgo and Querétaro, northern and central Veracruz, and extreme northern Oaxaca. Considering the fact that several confirmed localities are extremely close to state boundaries, its rarity, and its fossorial and secretive behavior, some authors have speculated it should be anticipated in areas west of the confirmed distribution, specifically southern Nuevo Leon, extreme eastern Guanajuato, and eastern Puebla.
Very little information has been published on the ecology and natural history of this rare and enigmatic species.
Source officielle
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