Anomalepididae
Pale-headed blindsnake (Liotyphlops beui)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Infraorder: Scolecophidia
Family: Anomalepididae
Taylor, 1939
Synonyms[1]

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.

Description

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

The family Anomalepididae is found from Southern Central America to northwestern South America. Disjunct populations occur in northeastern and southeastern South America.[1]

Genera

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 northwestern 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

  1. 1 2 3 4 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).
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Anomalepididae". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 29 August 2007.
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