Zarudny's worm lizard
Species of amphisbaenian
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Zarudny's worm lizard (Diplometopon zarudnyi) is a species of amphisbaenian reptile in the family Trogonophidae. The species is monotypic within the genus Diplometopon. The species is native to the Middle East.
| Zarudny's worm lizard | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Clade: | Amphisbaenia |
| Family: | Trogonophidae |
| Genus: | Diplometopon Nikolsky, 1907 |
| Species: | D. zarudnyi |
| Binomial name | |
| Diplometopon zarudnyi Nikolsky, 1907[2] | |
| Synonyms[3] | |
Etymology
The specific name, zarudnyi, is in honor of Russian zoologist Nikolai Zarudny.[4]
Geographic range
D. zarudnyi is found in western Iran, southern Iraq, and on the Arabian Peninsula in Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, northern Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.[3]
Habitat
Description
D. zarudnyi typically measures approximately 30 cm (12 in) in total length (including tail).[citation needed] Because it has no limbs, it uses body undulations similar to a snake to move itself along.[citation needed] It has limited vision.[citation needed]
Behavior
D. zarudnyi is terrestrial and fossorial, burrowing in sand or loose soil.[1]
Diet
The diet of D. zarudnyi consists of insects (mainly larvae and adults of beetles of the genus Dermestes), and other small invertebrates.[5]
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