Kingdom Animalia Class Reptilia Family Amphisbaenidae Rank Species | Phylum Chordata Order Squamata Genus Amphisbaena | |
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Amphisbaena munoai (common name: Munoa worm lizard ) is a small species of amphisbaenian in the reptilian order Squamata.
Contents
Etymology
The specific name, munoai, is in honor of Uruguayan zoologist Juan Ignacio Muñoa (1925–1960).
Habitat and behavior
A. munoai can be found hiding under stones or decomposing bark. Hiding under stones allows the amphisbaenian to raise its body temperature without exposing itself to predators.
Diet
The main component of the diet of A. munoai consists of termites but it also consumes various types of small insect larva.
Reproduction
A. munoai has a seasonal reproductive cycle. Females are able to be fertilized between June and October while males display a high testicle volume during this period. Females carry eggs from November to December and thus it is believed that copulation occurs from September to November. The eggs of A. munoai are frequently found in ant nests. Sexually mature males have a significantly smaller snout-vent length than sexually mature females.
Geographic range
A. munoai can be found in the pampas biome of southern Brazil, a temperate climate, and in Uruguay.