Bipes (genus)
| Bipes | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Bipes biporus | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Clade: | Amphisbaenia |
| Family: | Bipedidae Taylor, 1951 |
| Genus: | Bipes Latreille, 1801 |
| Species | |
|
4, See Text. | |
Bipes is a genus of amphisbaenians found only in Mexico, the sole member of the family Bipedidae. Commonly known as ajolotes, they are carnivorous, burrowing reptiles, but unlike other species of amphisbaenians, they possess two stubby forelimbs placed far forward on the body.[1] The shovel-like limbs are used to scrape away soil while burrowing through the soil, in a manner similar to a mole.[2] Evidence for their occurrence in the United States is reviewed by Somma (1993).
Taxonomy and systematics
The family contains only one genus, comprising four species:
Bipedidae
- Genus: Bipes
References
- ↑ http://www.whatamidoingonline.com/2012/09/21/10-amazing-creatures-find-adventuring/
- ↑ Gans, Carl (1998). Cogger, H.G., & Zweifel, R.G., ed. Encyclopedia of Reptiles and Amphibians. San Diego: Academic Press. pp. 216–217. ISBN 0-12-178560-2.
- ↑ Wikispecies. species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Bipes.
- ↑ ITIS (Integrated Taxonomic Information System). www.itis.gov.
Further reading
- Latreille, P.A. in Sonnini, C.S., and P.A. Latreiile. 1801. Histoire naturelle des reptiles, avec figures desinées d'après nature; Tome II. Premiere partie. Quadrupèdes et bipèdes ovipares. Crapalet. Paris. 332 pp. (Bipes, pp. 90–96.)
- Taylor, E.H. 1951. Concerning Oligocene Amphisbaenid Reptiles. Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull. 34 (9): 521-579. (Bipedidae, p. 522.)
- Louis A. Somma, "Do Worm Lizards Occur in Nebraska?" "Nebraska Herpetological Newsletter 12:2 (1993), 1-10