Kilwa sharp-snouted worm lizard explained
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".[1]
Geographic range
A. ionidesi is found in southeastern Tanzania.
Habitat
The preferred natural habitat of A. ionidesi is forest, at altitudes around .
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.
- Ancylocranium ionidesi haasi
- Ancylocranium ionidesi ionidesi
Further reading
- Broadley DG, Howell KM (1991). "A check list of the reptiles of Tanzania, with synoptic keys". Syntarsus 1: 1–70. (Ancylocranium ionidesi haasi and Ancylocranium ionidesi ionidesi, p. 20).
- Gans C, Kochva E (1966) ("1965"). "A systematic review of Ancylocranium (Amphisbaenia: Reptilia)". [Notes on amphisbaenids 22]. Israel Journal of Zoology 14: 87–121. (Ancylocranium ionidesi haasi, new subspecies).
- Loveridge A (1955). "On a second collection of reptiles and amphibians taken in Tanganyika Territory by C. J. P. Ionides". Journal of the East African Natural History Society 22: 168–198. (Ancylocranium ionidesi, new species, pp. 169, 177–179).
- Spawls S, Howell K, Hinkel H, Menegon M (2018). Field Guide to East African Reptiles, Second Edition. London: Bloomsbury Natural History. 624 pp. . (Ancylocranium ionidesi, p. 324).
Notes and References
- [species:Bo Beolens|Beolens, Bo]
