Zygaspis nigra

Zygaspis nigra is a worm lizard species in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is endemic to southern Africa.

Zygaspis nigra
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Amphisbaenidae
Genus: Zygaspis
Species:
Z. nigra
Binomial name
Zygaspis nigra
Broadley & Gans, 1969
Synonyms[2]
  • Zygaspis niger
    Broadley & Gans, 1969
  • Zygaspis nigra
    Broadley & S. Broadley, 1997

Geographic range

Z. nigra is found in Angola, Botswana, the Caprivi strip, and Zambia.[2]

Habitat

The preferred habitat of Z. nigra is woodland on sandy soil.[3]

Description

A large worm lizard, Z. nigra may attain a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 28 cm (11 in). It is colored black and white, with a speckled or marbled appearance. It is more blackish dorsally, and is more whitish ventrally. The snout is rounded.[3]

Reproduction

Z. nigra is oviparous.[2]

References
  1. Broadley DG, Measey GJ (2010). "Zygaspis nigra ". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010: e.T176248A7203989. https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T176248A7203989.en. Downloaded on 04 April 2019.
  2. Zygaspis nigra at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 24 February 2019.
  3. Branch, Bill. (2004). Field Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of Southern Africa. Sanibel Island Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 399 PP. ISBN 0-88359-042-5. (Zygaspis nigra, p. 124 + plate 42).

Further reading
  • Broadley DG, Gans C (1969). "A new species of Zygaspis (Amphisbaenia: Reptilia) from Zambia and Angola". Arnoldia (Rhodesia) 4 (25): 1-4. (Zygaspis niger, new species).
  • Broadley, Donald G.; Broadley, Sheila (1997). "A revision of the African genus Zygaspis Cope (Reptilia: Amphisbaenia)". Syntarsus 4: 1-24. (Zygaspis nigra, corrected gender of specific name).
  • Measy, G. John; Tolley, Krystal A. (2013). "A molecular phylogeny for sub-Saharan amphisbaenians". African Journal of Herpetology 62 (2): 100-108.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.