Identification. A legless lizard, with exceptionally small
eyes in an ocular scale, body scales smooth, rectangular, and arranged in
220–233 annuli (or rings), another 16−21 annuli on the tail; four upper
labials, three lower labials, postoculars can number 1–3; scales around body in
a single ring number 70−86. The tail annuli lack a constriction for autonomy.
The red-tan to off-white dorsum; the direct contact between the prefrontal and
the upper labials; and the higher number of body annuli readily distinguish this
species from the other Trinidad Amphisbaena.
Similar species. The Black and White Amphisbaena, A.
fuliginosa, has a highly contrasting pattern of black and white; 42−55 scales
around the mid-body; three upper tail with constricted base, and 24−28 annuli.
Distribution. Widespread in South America, ranging
from Colombia to Paraguay. It is present on Trinidad, absent from Tobago. It is
likely that several different species are currently combined under this name.
Habitat. Forests, savannas, coastal habitats,
disturbed environments including cultivated fields.
Biology. Mostly nocturnal but may be found any time of
day. This is a fossorial species, but it swims well; one individual swam more
than 2.5 km. The diet includes plant material, invertebrates, and small
vertebrates. The Double-headed Worm Lizard is often associated with
leaf-cutting ant nests; and they are known to follow leaf-cutter ant scent trails. When in ant nests, this lizard feeds
on beetles, which are also ant nest commensals. Studies on the life-cycle of a
pentastomid parasite found in Amphisbaena alba, report it also depends on ant
and beetle commensals for transmission. This suggests A. alba and the
leaf-cutters (Atta) have long evolutionary and ecological relationships. Reproduction
occurs in the dry season in Brazil; smallest reproductive males 422 mm, smallest
reproductive females 457 mm. Clutch size 8–16. The pre-cloacal glands in these lizards
secrete molecules as the glands are abraded by soil as they move through
tunnels leaving a chemical message for other individuals. When disturbed it
partially curls its body and raises its head and tail. The tail is rigid and
often contains areas lacking pigment that are most likely scars. The tail is
composed of a dense mass of collagen; predators biting the tail cause little
damage to lizard. The rest of the external body is also very resistant to
damage because of a layer of flexible collagen. Predators include birds and
snakes.
Colli, G.R. & Zamboni, D.S. 1999. Ecology of the Worm-Lizard Amphisbaena alba in the Cerrado of Central Brazil. Copeia 1999: 733-742
Gans, C. 1962. Notes on amphisbaenids (Amphisbaenia, Reptilia). 5. A redefinition and bibliography of Amphisbaena alba Linné. American Museum Novitates (2105): 1- 31
Gans, C. 2005. Checklist and bibliography of the Amphisbaenia of the world. Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. 289: 1-130
Gans, Carl 1967. A check list of recent amphisbaenians (Amphisbaenia, Reptilia). Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. 135:61-106.
Linnaeus, C. 1758. Systema naturæ per regna tria naturæ, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Tomus I. Editio decima, reformata. Laurentii Salvii, Holmiæ. 10th Edition: 824 pp.
Rivas, Gilson A.; César R. Molina, Gabriel N. Ugueto, Tito R. Barros, César L. Barrio-Amorós 2012. Reptiles of Venezuela: an updated and commented checklist. Zootaxa 3211: 1–64
Starace, Fausto 1998. Guide des Serpents et Amphisbènes de Guyane. IBIS Rouge Editions, Guadeloupe, Guyane, 450 pp.
Vanzolini, P. E. 1955. Contribucoes ao conhecimento dos lagartos Brasileiros da familia Amphisbaenidae Gray, 1825 5. Distribuicao geographica e biometria de Amphisbaena alba L. Arquivos do Museu Nacional 42: 683-706
Vanzolini, P.E. 1974. Ecological and geographical distribution of lizards in Pernambuco, northeastern Brasil (Sauria). Papeis Avulsos de Zool. 28(4): 61-90.
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