Monopeltis capensis, also known commonly as the Cape spade-snouted worm lizard, the Cape wedge-snouted worm lizard, the Cape worm lizard, and the South African shield-snouted amphisbaenian, is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is native to southern Africa.
| Monopeltis capensis | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Amphisbaenidae |
| Genus: | Monopeltis |
| Species: | M. capensis
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| Binomial name | |
| Monopeltis capensis A. Smith, 1848
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| Synonyms[2] | |
Geographic range
editM. capensis is found in Botswana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.[2]
Habitat
editThe preferred natural habitats of M. capensis are grassland, shrubland, and savanna.[1]
Description
editM. capensis is uniformly pinkish white, both dorsally and ventrally. Adults usually have a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 20–30 cm (7.9–11.8 in). The maximum recorded SVL is 34 cm (13 in).[3]
Diet
editM. capensis burrows in red soils to preys upon beetle larvae, termites, and other small invertebrates.[3]
Reproduction
editM. capensis is viviparous.[2] A brood of 1–3 is born in summer. Each neonate has a total length (including tail) of 9–10 cm (3.5–3.9 in).[3]
References
edit- ^ a b Measey GJ (2018). "Monopeltis capensis ". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T196964A115664500. https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T196964A115664500.en. Downloaded on 02 April 2019.
- ^ a b c Monopeltis capensis at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 24 February 2019.
- ^ a b c Branch, Bill (2004). Snakes and other Reptiles of Southern Africa. Third Revised edition, Second impression. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 399 pp. ISBN 0-88359-042-5. (Monopeltis capensis, p. 125).
Further reading
edit- Broadley DG (1997). "A review of the Monopeltis capensis complex in southern Africa (Reptilia: Amphisbaenidae)". African Journal of Herpetology 46 (1): 1–12. (Monopeltis capensis, p. 8).
- Gans C (2005). "Checklist and Bibliography of the Amphisbaenia of the World". Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History (289): 1–130. (Monopeltis capensis, p. 35).
- Measey GJ, Tolley KA (2013). "A molecular phylogeny for sub-Saharan amphisbaenians". African Journal of Herpetology 62 (2): 100–108.
- Smith A (1848). Illustrations of the Zoology of South Africa; Consisting Chiefly of Figures and Descriptions of the Objects of Natural History Collected during an Expedition into the Interior of South Africa, in the Years 1834, 1835, and 1836; Fitted out by "The Cape of Good Hope Association for Exploring Central Africa:" Together with a Summary of African Zoology, and an Inquiry into the Geographical Ranges of Species in that Quarter of the Globe. [Volume III. Reptilia]. London: Lords Commissioners of her Majesty's Treasury. (Smith, Elder and Co., printers). 78 plates + unnumbered pages of text. (Monopeltis capensis, new species, Plate 67 + two unnumbered pages).
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