Bipes | |
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Mexican mole lizard (Bipes biporus) | |
Scientific classification
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Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Clade: | Amphisbaenia |
Family: | Bipedidae |
Genus: |
Bipes Latreille, 1801 |
Species | |
Bipes biporus (
Cope, 1894) |
Bipes is a genus of amphisbaenians (or worm lizards) found only in Mexico, the sole living member of the family Bipedidae. [2] They are carnivorous, burrowing reptiles, but unlike other species of amphisbaenians, they possess two stubby forelimbs placed far forward on the body. [3] They also retain an almost complete pectoral girdle. [4] The shovel-like limbs are used to scrape away soil while burrowing, in a manner similar to a mole. [5] Evidence for their occurrence in the United States is reviewed by Somma (1993).
Bipes | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Mexican mole lizard (Bipes biporus) | |
Scientific classification
![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Clade: | Amphisbaenia |
Family: | Bipedidae |
Genus: |
Bipes Latreille, 1801 |
Species | |
Bipes biporus (
Cope, 1894) |
Bipes is a genus of amphisbaenians (or worm lizards) found only in Mexico, the sole living member of the family Bipedidae. [2] They are carnivorous, burrowing reptiles, but unlike other species of amphisbaenians, they possess two stubby forelimbs placed far forward on the body. [3] They also retain an almost complete pectoral girdle. [4] The shovel-like limbs are used to scrape away soil while burrowing, in a manner similar to a mole. [5] Evidence for their occurrence in the United States is reviewed by Somma (1993).