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{{Short description|Species of amphisbaenian}}
{{speciesbox
{{speciesbox
| name = Checkerboard worm lizard
| name = Checkerboard worm lizard
| image = Trogonophis wiegmanni imported from iNaturalist photo 24355639 on 14 January 2020.jpg
| image =
| status = LC
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <iucn/>
| genus = Trogonophis
| genus = Trogonophis
| parent_authority = [[Johann Jakob Kaup|Kaup]], 1830
| species = wiegmanni
| species = wiegmanni
| authority = [[Johann Jakob Kaup|Kaup]], 1830<ref name="RDB">[http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Trogonophis&species=wiegmanni ''Trogonophis wiegmanni''] at the [[Reptile Database]].</ref>
| authority = [[Johann Jakob Kaup|Kaup]], 1830<ref name=RDB>[http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Trogonophis&species=wiegmanni ''Trogonophis wiegmanni''] at the [[Reptile Database]].</ref>
| range_map = Trogonophis wiegmanni range Map.png
| range_map = Trogonophis wiegmanni range Map.png
}}
}}


The '''checkerboard worm lizard''', ''Trogonophis wiegmanni'', is a [[species]] of [[reptile]] in the [[Family (biology)|family]] [[Trogonophidae]]. The species is [[monotypic]] within the genus ''Trogonophis'',<ref>[http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/advanced_search?genus=Trogonophis&submit=Search ''Trogonophis''] at the [[Reptile Database]].</ref> and is [[Endemism|endemic]] to [[North Africa]] in [[Algeria]], [[Morocco]], and [[Tunisia]]. Its natural [[habitat]]s are [[temperate]] [[forest]]s, Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, temperate [[grassland]], sandy [[shore]]s, [[arable land]], and [[pastureland]]. It is threatened by [[habitat loss]].
The '''checkerboard worm lizard''' ('''''Trogonophis wiegmanni''''') is a [[species]] of [[amphisbaenia]]n in the [[Family (biology)|family]] [[Trogonophidae]]. The species is [[monotypic]] within the genus ''Trogonophis'',<ref>[http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/advanced_search?genus=Trogonophis&submit=Search ''Trogonophis''] at the [[Reptile Database]].</ref> and is [[Endemism|endemic]] to [[North Africa]]. Its natural [[habitat]]s are [[temperate]] [[forest]]s, Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, temperate [[grassland]], sandy [[shore]]s, [[arable land]], and [[pastureland]]. It is threatened by [[habitat loss]].

==Subspecies==
⚫
There are two [[subspecies]], which can be distinguished by their coloration. The [[nominotypical subspecies]], ''Trogonophis w. wiegmanni'' {{small|[[Johann Jakob Kaup|Kaup]], 1830}}, has a pale yellow ground color, while ''T. w. elegans'' {{small|([[Paul Gervais|Gervais]], 1835)}} has a gray-white or light pink ground color.


==Description==
==Description==
⚫
Both subspecies of ''T. wiegmanni'' exhibit the following characteristics. The head is rounded and slightly compressed [[Dorsum (anatomy)|dorso-ventrally]]. The snout is slightly protruding. Two pairs of cephalic shields are present. The nostrils open forward. External ears are absent. The skull is elongate compared to other Trogonophidae.
⚫
There are two [[subspecies]], which can be distinguished by their coloration. ''Trogonophis w. wiegmanni'' has a pale yellow ground color while ''T. w. elegans'' has a gray-white or light pink ground color.


⚫
The body is wormlike: legless, elongate, cylindrical, and annulated. There are sunken lateral lines. The short conical tail lacks autotomy. The body is short and stout relative to other [[legless lizards]]. Both sexes lack pre-anal pores.
⚫
The head is rounded and slightly compressed dorso-ventrally. The snout is slightly protruding. Two pairs of cephalic shields are present. The nostrils open forward. External ears are absent. The skull is elongate compared to other Trogonophidae.

⚫
The body is wormlike: legless, elongate, cylindrical, and annulated. There are sunken lateral lines. The short conical tail lacks autotomy. The body is short and stout relative to other legless lizards. Both sexes lack pre-anal pores.


==Habitat==
==Habitat==
''T. wiegmanni'' can found in areas with abundant leaf litter, sandy soil<ref name="Martín et al.">{{cite journal|vauthors=Martín J, Polo-Cavia N, Gonzalo A, Lopez P, Civantos E | date = 2011 | title=Social aggregation behaviour in the North African amphisbaenian ''Trogonophis wiegmanni ''| doi=10.1080/21564574.2011.566285 | volume=60| issue = 2 |journal=African Journal of Herpetology|pages=171–176}}</ref> and moist soil that is covered with stones and other ground cover. It can also be found near roadsides, in traditionally cultivated areas, in oak forest and oak-juniper forests, in sandy patches with no vegetation and in steppe habitat.<ref name="IUCN">{{cite web|title=''Trogonophis wiegmanni ''|url=http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/61589/0}} at IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Redlist 2017-1.</ref>
''T. wiegmanni'' can found in areas with abundant leaf litter, sandy soil<ref name="Martín et al.">{{cite journal|vauthors=Martín J, Polo-Cavia N, Gonzalo A, Lopez P, Civantos E | date = 2011 | title=Social aggregation behaviour in the North African amphisbaenian ''Trogonophis wiegmanni ''| doi=10.1080/21564574.2011.566285 | volume=60| issue = 2 |journal=African Journal of Herpetology|pages=171–176| s2cid = 84445347 }}</ref> and moist soil that is covered with stones and other ground cover. It can also be found near roadsides, in traditionally cultivated areas, in oak [[forest]] and oak-juniper forests, in sandy patches with no vegetation and in steppe habitat.<ref name="iucn">[[José Antonio Mateo Miras|Miras JAM]], [[:de:Ulrich Joger|Joger U]], [[Juan Manuel Pleguezuelos|Pleguezuelos J]], [[Tahar Slimani|Slimani T]], [[Iñigo Martínez-Solano|Martínez-Solano I]] (2009). "''Trogonophis wiegmanni'' ". The [[IUCN]] Red List of Threatened Species 2009: e.T61589A12502172. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2009.RLTS.T61589A12502172.en. Downloaded on 30 December 2020.</ref>


''T. wiegmanni'' has a tolerance for a broad range of habitats such as; temperate forest, shrub land, temperate grassland, artificial/terrestrial arable Land, and artificial/terrestrial pastureland.<ref name="IUCN"/>
''T. wiegmanni'' has a tolerance for a broad range of habitats such as; temperate forest, [[shrubland]], temperate [[grassland]], artificial/terrestrial arable Land, and artificial/terrestrial pastureland. It has been found at elevations from sea level to {{convert|1,900|m|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref name=iucn/>


==Etymology==
==Etymology==
Line 28: Line 32:


==Common names==
==Common names==
''Trogonophis wiegmanni'' is commonly known in English as "Wiegmann's worm lizard"<ref name="EDR"/> or the "checkerboard worm lizard", in French as "''Trogonophis'' ", and in German as "''Schachbrett-Doppelschleiche'' "<ref name="RDB"/> or "''Wiegmanns Spitzschwanz Doppelschleiche'' ".
''Trogonophis wiegmanni'' is commonly known in English as "Wiegmann's worm lizard"<ref name="EDR"/> or the "checkerboard worm lizard", in French as "''Trogonophis'' ", and in German as "''Schachbrett-Doppelschleiche'' "<ref name=RDB/> or "''Wiegmanns Spitzschwanz Doppelschleiche'' ".


==Geographic range==
==Geographic range==
''T. wiegmanni'' is native to the countries of northern Algeria, western Morocco, the Chafarinas Islands [Spain], and northwestern Tunisia.<ref name="IUCN"/>
''T. wiegmanni'' is native to northern [[Algeria]], western [[Morocco]], the [[Chafarinas Islands]] of [[Spain]], and northwestern [[Tunisia]].<ref name=iucn/>

This species can be found anywhere between sea level and {{convert|1,900|m|ft|abbr=on}} above it.<ref name="IUCN"/>

<!-- ==Interactions with humans==
<!-- ==Interactions with humans==
Only representative of the family Trogonophidae in North Africa.
Only representative of the family Trogonophidae in North Africa.
Line 40: Line 41:
They showed a preference for areas with 5–10&nbsp;cm high vegetation cover (i.e., perennial bushes and scrubs). -->
They showed a preference for areas with 5–10&nbsp;cm high vegetation cover (i.e., perennial bushes and scrubs). -->


==Ecology==
==Behavior==
⚫
''T. wiegmanni'' can be found mostly under rocks/stones in its specific habitats, sometimes in pairs. Individuals of the same sex in this species are never found together under the same rock indicating intrasexual intolerance. Females benefit from male presence through enhanced vigilance or reduced harassment by other males within this species.<ref name="Martín et al."/>


===Behavior===
==Diet==
⚫
''T. wiegmanni'' can be found mostly under rocks/stones in their specific habitats sometimes in pairs. Individuals of the same sex in this species are never found together under the same rock indicating intrasexual intolerance. Females benefit from male presence through enhanced vigilance or reduced harassment by other males within this species.<ref name="Martín et al."/>

===Feeding===
''Trogonophis wiegmanni'' consumes a variety of insects and other soil invertebrates.
''Trogonophis wiegmanni'' consumes a variety of insects and other soil invertebrates.

==Reproduction==
''T. wiegmanni'' is [[Viviparity|viviparous]].<ref name=RDB/>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*Miras JAM, [[:de:Ulrich Joger|Joger U]], Pleguezuelos J, Slimani T (2005). [http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/61589/all ''Trogonophis wiegmanni'']. [https://web.archive.org/web/20140627000000/http://www.iucnredlist.org/ 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.]


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
*{{cite journal | last1 = Bellairs | first1 = A. |authorlink1 = :fr:Angus d'Albini Bellairs | last2 = Shute | first2 = C.C.D. | year = 1954 | title = Notes on the herpetology of an Algerian beach | url = | journal = Copeia | volume = 1954 | issue = 3| pages = 224–226 | doi=10.2307/1439203| jstor = 1439203 }}
*{{cite journal | last1 = Bellairs | first1 = A. |author-link1 = :fr:Angus d'Albini Bellairs | last2 = Shute | first2 = C.C.D. | year = 1954 | title = Notes on the herpetology of an Algerian beach | journal = Copeia | volume = 1954 | issue = 3| pages = 224–226 | doi=10.2307/1439203| jstor = 1439203 }}
*[[George Albert Boulenger|Boulenger, George A.]] (1885). ''Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum (Natural History). Second Edition. Volume II ... Amphisbænidæ''. London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xiii + 497 pp. + Plates I-XXIV. (''Trogonophis wiegmanni'', p.&nbsp;470).
*[[George Albert Boulenger|Boulenger, George A.]] (1885). ''Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum (Natural History). Second Edition. Volume II ... Amphisbænidæ''. London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xiii + 497 pp. + Plates I-XXIV. (''Trogonophis wiegmanni'', p.&nbsp;470).
*Boulenger, George A. (1891). "Catalogue of the reptiles and batrachians of Barbary (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia), based chiefly upon the notes and collections made in 1880-1884 by M. Fernand Lataste". ''Tr. Zool. Soc.'' '''13''': 93-164.
*Boulenger, George A. (1891). "Catalogue of the reptiles and batrachians of Barbary (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia), based chiefly upon the notes and collections made in 1880-1884 by M. Fernand Lataste". ''Tr. Zool. Soc.'' '''13''': 93–164.
*[[André Marie Constant Duméril|Duméril, A. M. C.]], and [[Gabriel Bibron|G. Bibron]] (1839). ''Erpétologie Générale ou Histoire Naturelle Complète des Reptiles. Tome cinquième'' [Volume 5]. Paris: Roret/Fain et Thunot. viii + 854 pp. (in French).
*[[André Marie Constant Duméril|Duméril, A. M. C.]], and [[Gabriel Bibron|G. Bibron]] (1839). ''Erpétologie Générale ou Histoire Naturelle Complète des Reptiles. Tome cinquième'' [Volume 5]. Paris: Roret/Fain et Thunot. viii + 854 pp. (in French).
*{{cite journal | last1 = Gans | first1 = C | year = 2005 | title = Checklist and Bibliography of the Amphisbaenia of the World | url = | journal = Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. | volume = 289 | issue = | pages = 1–130 | doi=10.1206/0003-0090(2005)289<0001:cabota>2.0.co;2| hdl = 2246/457 }}
*{{cite journal | last1 = Gans | first1 = C |authorlink=Carl Gans| year = 2005 | title = Checklist and Bibliography of the Amphisbaenia of the World | journal = Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History | volume = 289 | number = 289 | pages = 1–130 | doi=10.1206/0003-0090(2005)289<0001:cabota>2.0.co;2| hdl = 2246/457 | hdl-access = free }}
*[[Paul Gervais|Gervais, Paul]] (1835). "''Les principaux résultats de l'étude . . . de reptiles envoyés de Barbarie'' ". ''Bull. Soc. Sci. Nat. France (dernier trimestre), Séance de 23 Dec. 1835'', '''1''': 112-114. (in French).
*[[Paul Gervais|Gervais, Paul]] (1835). "''Les principaux résultats de l'étude . . . de reptiles envoyés de Barbarie'' ". ''Bulletin de la Société des Sciences Naturelle de France (dernier trimestre), Séance de 23 Dec. 1835'', '''1''': 112–114. (''Amphisbaena elegans'', new species, p.&nbsp;113). (in French).
*[[Johann Jakob Kaup|Kaup J]] (1830). "Trogonophis, ''Eine neue Amphibiengattung, den Amphisbaenen zunächst verwandt'' ". ''Isis von Oken'' '''23''': 880-881. (''Trogonophis'', new genus, p.&nbsp;880; ''Trogonophis wiegmanni'', new species, p.&nbsp;881). (in German).
*[[Johann Jakob Kaup|Kaup J]] (1830). "Trogonophis, ''Eine neue Amphibiengattung, den Amphisbaenen zunächst verwandt'' ". ''Isis von Oken'' '''23''': 880–881. (''Trogonophis'', new genus, p.&nbsp;880; ''Trogonophis wiegmanni'', new species, p.&nbsp;881). (in German).


{{Taxonbar|from=Q26359}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q26359}}
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[[Category:Trogonophidae]]
[[Category:Trogonophidae]]
[[Category:Reptiles described in 1830]]
[[Category:Reptiles described in 1830]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Johann Jakob Kaup]]
<!-- [[Category:Monotypic reptile genera]] moved to genus redirect -->
<!-- [[Category:Monotypic reptile genera]] moved to genus redirect -->
[[Category:Taxonomy articles created by Polbot]]
[[Category:Taxonomy articles created by Polbot]]

Latest revision as of 14:02, 12 October 2023

Checkerboard worm lizard
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Trogonophidae
Genus: Trogonophis
Kaup, 1830
Species:
T. wiegmanni
Binomial name
Trogonophis wiegmanni
Kaup, 1830[1]

The checkerboard worm lizard (Trogonophis wiegmanni) is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Trogonophidae. The species is monotypic within the genus Trogonophis,[2] and is endemic to North Africa. Its natural habitats are temperate forests, Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, temperate grassland, sandy shores, arable land, and pastureland. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Subspecies

[edit]

There are two subspecies, which can be distinguished by their coloration. The nominotypical subspecies, Trogonophis w. wiegmanni Kaup, 1830, has a pale yellow ground color, while T. w. elegans (Gervais, 1835) has a gray-white or light pink ground color.

Description

[edit]

Both subspecies of T. wiegmanni exhibit the following characteristics. The head is rounded and slightly compressed dorso-ventrally. The snout is slightly protruding. Two pairs of cephalic shields are present. The nostrils open forward. External ears are absent. The skull is elongate compared to other Trogonophidae.

The body is wormlike: legless, elongate, cylindrical, and annulated. There are sunken lateral lines. The short conical tail lacks autotomy. The body is short and stout relative to other legless lizards. Both sexes lack pre-anal pores.

Habitat

[edit]

T. wiegmanni can found in areas with abundant leaf litter, sandy soil[3] and moist soil that is covered with stones and other ground cover. It can also be found near roadsides, in traditionally cultivated areas, in oak forest and oak-juniper forests, in sandy patches with no vegetation and in steppe habitat.[4]

T. wiegmanni has a tolerance for a broad range of habitats such as; temperate forest, shrubland, temperate grassland, artificial/terrestrial arable Land, and artificial/terrestrial pastureland. It has been found at elevations from sea level to 1,900 m (6,200 ft).[4]

Etymology

[edit]

The specific name, wiegmanni, is in honor of German herpetologist Arend Friedrich August Wiegmann.[5]

Common names

[edit]

Trogonophis wiegmanni is commonly known in English as "Wiegmann's worm lizard"[5] or the "checkerboard worm lizard", in French as "Trogonophis ", and in German as "Schachbrett-Doppelschleiche "[1] or "Wiegmanns Spitzschwanz Doppelschleiche ".

Geographic range

[edit]

T. wiegmanni is native to northern Algeria, western Morocco, the Chafarinas Islands of Spain, and northwestern Tunisia.[4]

Behavior

[edit]

T. wiegmanni can be found mostly under rocks/stones in its specific habitats, sometimes in pairs. Individuals of the same sex in this species are never found together under the same rock indicating intrasexual intolerance. Females benefit from male presence through enhanced vigilance or reduced harassment by other males within this species.[3]

Diet

[edit]

Trogonophis wiegmanni consumes a variety of insects and other soil invertebrates.

Reproduction

[edit]

T. wiegmanni is viviparous.[1]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Trogonophis wiegmanni at the Reptile Database.
  2. ^ Trogonophis at the Reptile Database.
  3. ^ a b Martín J, Polo-Cavia N, Gonzalo A, Lopez P, Civantos E (2011). "Social aggregation behaviour in the North African amphisbaenian Trogonophis wiegmanni ". African Journal of Herpetology. 60 (2): 171–176. doi:10.1080/21564574.2011.566285. S2CID 84445347.
  4. ^ a b c Miras JAM, Joger U, Pleguezuelos J, Slimani T, Martínez-Solano I (2009). "Trogonophis wiegmanni ". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2009: e.T61589A12502172. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2009.RLTS.T61589A12502172.en. Downloaded on 30 December 2020.
  5. ^ a b 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. (Trogonophis wieganni, p. 285).

Further reading

[edit]
  • Bellairs, A. [in French]; Shute, C.C.D. (1954). "Notes on the herpetology of an Algerian beach". Copeia. 1954 (3): 224–226. doi:10.2307/1439203. JSTOR 1439203.
  • Boulenger, George A. (1885). Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum (Natural History). Second Edition. Volume II ... Amphisbænidæ. London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xiii + 497 pp. + Plates I-XXIV. (Trogonophis wiegmanni, p. 470).
  • Boulenger, George A. (1891). "Catalogue of the reptiles and batrachians of Barbary (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia), based chiefly upon the notes and collections made in 1880-1884 by M. Fernand Lataste". Tr. Zool. Soc. 13: 93–164.
  • Duméril, A. M. C., and G. Bibron (1839). Erpétologie Générale ou Histoire Naturelle Complète des Reptiles. Tome cinquième [Volume 5]. Paris: Roret/Fain et Thunot. viii + 854 pp. (in French).
  • Gans, C (2005). "Checklist and Bibliography of the Amphisbaenia of the World". Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History. 289 (289): 1–130. doi:10.1206/0003-0090(2005)289<0001:cabota>2.0.co;2. hdl:2246/457.
  • Gervais, Paul (1835). "Les principaux résultats de l'étude . . . de reptiles envoyés de Barbarie ". Bulletin de la Société des Sciences Naturelle de France (dernier trimestre), Séance de 23 Dec. 1835, 1: 112–114. (Amphisbaena elegans, new species, p. 113). (in French).
  • Kaup J (1830). "Trogonophis, Eine neue Amphibiengattung, den Amphisbaenen zunächst verwandt ". Isis von Oken 23: 880–881. (Trogonophis, new genus, p. 880; Trogonophis wiegmanni, new species, p. 881). (in German).
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