Designed by Paul Smith 2006. This website is copyrighted by law.
Material contained herewith may not be used without the prior written permission of FAUNA Paraguay.
Photographs on this page were taken by Helen Pheasey and Para La Tierra and are used with permission.
MERTENīS AMPHISBAENID Amphisbaena mertensii
Amphisbaenids are blind, subterranean reptiles, superficially resembling earthworms. This species is fairly common in some areas, though rarely seen unless they are specifically sought out. One of the best ways to find them is by turning over anthills and sifting through the debris. This species can be identified by the presence of 5 or more cloacal pores, presence of an autotomous tail and the fact that the dorsal scales are pigmented only on their anterior half.
Click on the images to enlarge them.
FIGURE 1 - (FPREP602PH) Adult dorsal, Laguna Blanca, Departamento San Pedro (Helen Pheasey September 2011 - Para La Tierra).
FIGURE 2 - (FPREP603PH) Same individual head lateral view (Helen Pheasey September 2011 - Para La Tierra).
FIGURE 3 - (FPREP604PH) Same individual head dorsal view (Helen Pheasey September 2011 - Para La Tierra).
FIGURE 4 - (FPREP605PH) Same individual head ventral view (Helen Pheasey September 2011 - Para La Tierra).
FIGURE 5 - (FPREP606PH) Same individual ventral view (Helen Pheasey September 2011 - Para La Tierra).
FIGURE 6 - (FPREP607PH) Same individual cloaca view (Helen Pheasey September 2011 - Para La Tierra).
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FIGURE 1
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FIGURE 2
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FIGURE 3
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FIGURE 4
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FIGURE 5
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FIGURE 6
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