Xenotyphlopidae

''Xenotyphlops'' is a genus of snakes, the only genus of the family Xenotyphlopidae, comprising two species found only in Madagascar. These snakes are also known as the Malagasy blind snake.

Physical characteristics

The family Xenotyphlopidae is composed of small blind snakes. These members lack cranial infrared receptors in pits or durface indentations. It is thought that these snakes used to have eyes but lost use of them over time. Members of the genus ''Xenotyphlops'' are distinguishable externally from the Typhlopidae by possessing a greatly enlarged and nearly circular rostral shield and a single enlarged anal shield. This shield is nearly vertical in a lateral aspect; as a result, the two species have a "bulldozer" appearance. ''Xenotyphlops'' get no larger than an earthworm and have translucent pink scales. ''Xenotyphlops'' species are internally unique in that they lack a tracheal lung and possess an unexpanded tracheal membrane. Like many other snake families they are assumed to be oviparous. Both species are completely terrestrial.

Geographic range

Snakes of the genus ''Xenotyphlops'' are endemic to the island of Madagascar. ''Xenotyphlops'' burrow in the softer sandy soil of Madagascar's coastline forest and shrubland. For over 100 years the genus was known only from the type locality, which was "Madagascar", and only from the type specimens. These snakes presumably live in colonies of subterranean social insects.

Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List,
X. grandidieri
' are considered to be critically endangered an
''X''. ''mocquardi''
are data deficient. The two biggest threats to these species are Energy production (via mining/quarrying) and biological resource use (via logging and unintentional effects).

Species

*'' Xenotyphlops grandidieri''
*'' Xenotyphlops mocquardi''

''Nota bene'': A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than ''Xenotyphlops''.

Etymology

The specific name, ''grandidieri'', is in honor of French naturalist Alfred Grandidier. Beolens B, Watkins M, Grayson M (2011). ''The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles''. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. . (''Xenotyphlops grandidieri'', pp. 105-106; ''X. mocquardi'', p. 181).

The specific name, ''mocquardi'', is in honor of French herpetologist François Mocquard.

Taxonomy

In 2013, after examining several newly collected specimens, Wegener, Tommy Peto et al. concluded that ''X. mocquardi'' falls within the range of variation of ''X. grandidieri'', and they proposed that ''X. mocquardi'' be considered a synonym of ''X. grandidieri''. This change would make ''Xenotyphlops'' a monotypic genus in a monotypic family. Wegener JE, Swoboda S, Hawlitschek O, Franzen M, Wallach V, Vences M, Nagy ZT, Hedges SB, Köhler J, Glaw F (2013). "Morphological variation and taxonomic reassessment of the endemic Malagasy blind snake family Xenotyphlopidae (Serpentes, Scolecophidia)". ''Spixiana'' 36 (2): 269-282. The ''Xenotyphlipidae'''s sister taxon are the ''Typhlopidae''.

References

Further reading

* Mocquard F (1905). "''Note préliminaire sur une collection de Reptiles et de Batraciens offerte au Muséum par M. Maurice de Rothschild'' ". ''Bulletin du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle'' 11 (5): 285-288. (''Typhlops grandidieri'', new species, p. 287). (in French).
* Wallach V, Ineich I (1996). "Redescription of a Rare Malagasy Blind Snake, ''Typhlops grandidieri'' Mocquard, with Placement in a New Genus (Serpentes: Typhlopidae)". ''J. Herpetology'' 30 (3): 367-376. (''Xenotyphlops'', new genus).
*Wallach V, Mercurio V, Andreone F (2007). "Rediscovery of the enigmatic blind snake genus ''Xenotyphlops'' in northern Madagascar, with description of a new species (Serpentes: Typhlopidae)". ''Zootaxa'' 1402: 59-68. (''Xenotyphlops mocquardi'', new species).

External links

*

{{Taxonbar, from=Q140451

Scolecophidia
Typhlopidae