Monopeltis rhodesiana is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is native to southern Africa.
Monopeltis rhodesiana | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Family: | Amphisbaenidae |
Genus: | Monopeltis |
Species: | M. rhodesiana
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Binomial name | |
Monopeltis rhodesiana | |
Synonyms[1] | |
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Geographic range
editM. rhodesiana is found in southern Malawi, central Mozambique, southern Zambia, and northwestern Zimbabwe.[1]
Habitat
editThe preferred natural habitat of M. rhodesiana is mesic savanna, with alluvial soil.[2]
Description
editM. rhodesiana is pinkish, both dorsally and ventrally. Adults usually have a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 20–25 cm (7.9–9.8 in). The maximimum recorded SVL is 28.5 cm (11.2 in). The tail is short, with only 5–9 caudal annuli.[2]
Reproduction
editThe mode of reproduction of M. rhodesiana is unknown.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c Monopeltis rhodesiana at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 24 February 2019.
- ^ a b Branch, Bill (2004). Field Guide to 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 rhodesiana, pp. 125–126 + Plate 41).
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.
- Broadley DG, Gans C, Visser J (1976). "Studies on Amphisbaenians (Amphisbaenia, Reptilia). 6. The Genera Monopeltis and Dalophia in Southern Africa". Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 157: 311–486. (Monopeltis capensis rhodesianus, new subspecies, pp. 394–398, Figures 56–59).
- Gans C (2005). "Checklist and Bibliography of the Amphisbaenia of the World". Bull. American Mus. Nat. Hist. (289): 1–130. (Monopeltis rhodesianus, p. 37).