Gymnophthalmidae

Bachia bicolor

The dwarf or Brillentejus ( Gymnophthalmidae ) are one occurring exclusively in the New World, from southern Mexico to Argentina family of Squamata ( Squamata ).

Features

Most Zwergtejus compared to other lizards, elongated, slender body. Some also resemble the genuine lizards ( Lacertidae ). With lengths from tens of centimeters they are, apart from a few gecko species, the smallest lizards South and Central America. In several species occurred independently in a reduction of the limbs, is often associated with a strong extension of the body. The Wühltejus ( Bachia ) the legs are too non-functional, reduced fin-like appendages with three toes and will only be used during slow locomotion. The genus can jump with the help of the tail. In Calyptommatus the legs are completely absent. Most species have a transparent lower eyelid ( Gymnophthalmidae = naked eye ) so that they can see with their eyes closed.

Habitat and behavior

Zwergtejus live mainly in the humid tropics, eg in rainforests, but also in deserts and high in the Andes. Proctoporus bolivianus still lives at altitudes of 4000 meters. In Ecuador Pholidobolus - six species occur in valleys and on the slopes of the mountains at altitudes of 3000 meters. In the same habitat may occur up to ten kinds of Zwergtejus.

Most Zwergtejus hold on the ground on, some how Cercosaura argulus climb on trees or shrubs. Bachia digging in the soil of tropical rain forests, Calyptommatus in sandy habitats. Most types of Neusticurus live semi -aquatic. Neusticurus ecpleopus is bound to sand banks of jungle rivers. Often, you can identify sister species, which were separated by geographical barriers. Calyptommatus sinebrachiatus occur exclusively in the dunes on the north bank of the São Francisco River, while the southern bank of C. leiolepis and C. nicteris is inhabited - both of these types in turn live isolated from each other in the sand dunes.

All Zwergtejus eat insects and other small invertebrates and are invariably oviparous ( egg- laying ), two forms of Gymnophthalmus underwoodi propagate also parthenogenetic. Often several females lay eggs in the same nest. Sexual dimorphism occurs, but not in grave end, subterranean species. Usually the head of the male is larger and the sides of the body are more patterned. In the open habitats inhabiting Vanzosaura rubricauda the males are smaller, but have thicker heads.

System

The Zwergtejus are the sister group of the rail lizards ( Teiidae ) and also those slammed by some authors as subfamily Gymnophthalminae. In the traditional scheme of Squamata both families were assigned to the Skinkartigen ( Scincomorpha ). According to recent molecular biological studies, however, they are not closely related to the Skinkartigen, but the taxon formed by Zwergtejus and rail lizards ( Teiformata ) is the sister group of the Lacertibaenia, a new taxon to which the rights lizards ( Lacertidae ) and the amphisbaenians ( amphisbaenians ) are. The clade formed by all four families is called Laterata.

There are about 200 species in 40 genera and four subfamilies.

  • Subfamily Alopoglossinae PELLEGRINO et al. 2001 Alopoglossus BOULENGER 1885
  • Ptychoglossus BOULENGER 1890
  • Tribus Bachini CASTOE et al. 2004 Wühltejus ( Bachia ) GRAY 1845
  • Anadia GRAY 1845
  • Cercosaura WAGLER 1830 ( incl Prionodactylus & Pantodactylus )
  • Echinosaura BOULENGER 1890
  • Euspondylus TSCHUDI 1845
  • Macropholidus NOBLE 1921
  • Neusticurus Dumeril & Bibron 1839
  • Opipeuter Uzzell 1969
  • Petra Cola DOAN & CASTOE 2005
  • Potamites DOAN & CASTOE 2005
  • Pholidobolus PETERS 1862
  • Placosoma TSCHUDI 1847
  • Proctoporus TSCHUDI 1845
  • Riama GRAY 1858
  • Riolama Uzzell 1973
  • Teuchocercus Fritts & SMITH 1969
  • Amapasaurus CUNHA 1970
  • Anotosaura Amaral 1933
  • Arthrosaura BOULENGER 1885
  • Colobosauroides & CUNHA LIMA VERDE 1991
  • Dryadosaura RODRIGUES, et al. 2005
  • Ecpleopus Dumeril & Bibron 1839
  • Leposoma SPIX 1825
  • Tribus Heterodactylini ( fide PELLEGRINO et al. 2001) Acratosaura RODRIGUES et al. 2007
  • Alexandresaurus RODRIGUES et al. 2007
  • Colobodactylus Amaral 1933
  • Colobosaura BOULENGER 1887
  • Heterodactylus SPIX 1825
  • Iphisa GRAY 1851
  • Stenolepis BOULENGER 1888 ( only provisionally to the Heterodactylini )
  • Calyptommatus RODRIGUES 1991
  • Gymnophthalmus MERREM 1820
  • Nothobachia RODRIGUES 1984
  • Procellosaurinus RODRIGUES 1991
  • Psilophthalmus RODRIGUES 1991
  • Tretioscincus COPE 1862
  • Vanzosaura RODRIGUES 1991
Blasius Merrem Oviparity
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