Kilwa sharp-snouted worm lizard

Kilwa sharp-snouted worm lizard
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Clade: Amphisbaenia
Family: Amphisbaenidae
Genus: Ancylocranium
Species:
A. ionidesi
Binomial name
Ancylocranium ionidesi
Loveridge, 1955

The Kilwa sharp-snouted worm lizard (Ancylocranium ionidesi) is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is endemic to Tanzania. There are two recognized subspecies.

Etymology

The specific name, ionidesi, is in honor of British game warden Constantine John Philip Ionides (1901–1968), who was known as the "Snake Man of British East Africa".

Geographic range

A. ionidesi is found in southeastern Tanzania.

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of A. ionidesi is forest, at altitudes around 500 m (1,600 ft).

Behavior

A. ionidesi is terrestrial and fossorial.

Diet

A. ionidesi preys upon small invertebrates such as termites.

Reproduction

A. ionidesi is oviparous. Clutch size is one egg.

Subspecies

There are two subspecies that are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Msuya, C.A.; Ngalason, W.; Howell, K. (2014). "Ancylocranium ionidesi ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014 e.T20878073A20878077. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T20878073A20878077.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Ancylocranium ionidesi at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 24 February 2019.
  3. ↑ 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. (Ancylcranium ionidesi, p. 130).

Further reading