Blanus, also known as worm lizards, are a genus of amphisbaenians found in the Mediterranean region of Europe and North Africa.[2] Like other amphisbaenians, Blanus species are specialized for a subterranean existence, with long, slender bodies, reduced limbs, and rudimentary eyes. Their skulls are powerfully constructed, allowing them to push through soil to create a burrow. Their jaws are well-developed, with large, recurved teeth and a pair of canine-like teeth in the upper jaw.
Five extant species are currently known. The relationships of Blanus to other worm-lizards are not clear. The genus was formerly included in the Amphisbaenidae. More recent analyses suggest that blanids are more primitive, and are either related to Bipes[3] or represent an even more ancient lineage.[4]
A number of fossils from Europe have been referred either to Blanus or to the Blanidae.[5]
^Wagler, J. 1830. Natürliches System der AMPHIBIEN, mit vorangehender Classification der SÄUGTHIERE und VÖGEL. Ein Beitrag zur vergleichenden Zoologie. Munich, Stuttgart, and Tübingen: J.G. Cotta. vi + 354 pp. + one plate. (Genus Blanus, p. 197).
^Albert, E. M.; Zardoya, R.; García-París, M. (2007). "Phylogeographical and speciation patterns in subterranean worm lizards of the genus Blanus (Amphisbaenia: Blanidae)". Molecular Ecology. 16 (7): 1519–1531. Bibcode:2007MolEc..16.1519A. doi:10.1111/j.1365-294X.2007.03248.x. PMID 17391273. S2CID 26071914.
^Vidal, N.; Azvolinsky, A.; Cruaud, C.; Hedges, S. B. (2007-12-11). "Origin of tropical American burrowing reptiles by transatlantic rafting". Biology Letters. 4 (1): 115–118. doi:10.1098/rsbl.2007.0531. PMC 2412945. PMID 18077239.
^Kearney, M.; Stuart, B. L. (2004). "Repeated evolution of limblessness and digging heads in worm lizards revealed by DNA from old bones". Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 271 (1549): 1677–1683. doi:10.1098/rspb.2004.2771. PMC 1691774. PMID 15306287.
^Augé, M. L. (2012). "Amphisbaenians from the European Eocene: A biogeographical review". Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments. 92 (4): 425–443. Bibcode:2012PdPe...92..425A. doi:10.1007/s12549-012-0104-6. S2CID 129023376.
Blanus alexandri, called Alexander's worm-lizard, is an amphisbaenian species in the family Blanidae. It is endemic in Adana, Hatay, Gaziantep, and Şırnak...
Iberian worm lizard, Mediterranean worm lizard, or European worm lizard (Blanus cinereus) is a species of reptile in the family Blanidae (worm lizards)...
worm lizard (Blanus mariae) is an amphisbaenian species in the family Blanidae. The species is endemic to the Iberian Peninsula. Blanus mariae is found...
being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies. Blanus strauchi bedriagae Boulenger, 1884 Blanus strauchi strauchi (Bedriaga, 1884) Nota bene: A trinomial...
of the pelvic girdle is present in all families, and Bipes and the genus Blanus have also retained a reduced femur. Amphisbaenians have a distinctive skin...
2307/1445928. JSTOR 1445928. Blanus tingitanus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 13 February 2023. Blanus cinereus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile...
amphisbaenian, Blanus cinereus. His contributions to zoology have been recognized by another species of Blanus named after him, Blanus vandellii, (although...
ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Blanus mettetali, p. 177). Bons, Jacques (1963). "Notes sur Blanus cinereus (Vandelli), description d'une sous-espèce Marocaine: Blanus cinereus...
closely related to the family Blanidae, which includes the living genus Blanus. Bipedidae are very small, usually ranging from 120 to 240 mm. They lack...
species of reptile certainly found on Rhodes. These are: Amphisbaenidae, Blanus strauchi; Cheloniidae, Caretta caretta;Geoemydidae Mauremys rivulata; Colubridae...
Valentin Pérez-Mellado, Rafael Marquez, Iñigo Martínez-Solano (2009). "Blanus cinereus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2009: e.T61469A12490902...
and sub-Saharan Africa. One deep-branching and somewhat aberrant genus, Blanus, is native to Europe, and may represent a distinct family. More recent sources...
brife cu bilga lo ka tugni fi lo nu la solri cu traji lo ka vlipa xekri je blanu nicte Below are some of the notable personalities who have contributed to...
Monopeltis Genus Zygaspis Family Bipedidae Genus Bipes Family Blanidae Genus Blanus Family Cadeidae Genus Cadea Family Gymnophthalmidae Genus Acratosaura Genus...
xanthina The programme also includes the Timon lepidus, Elaphe quatuorlineata, Blanus cinereus, Alytes, Ciconia ciconia, Sheltopusik, Green whip snake, Zamenis...
Sagara TV mini-series, 2 episodes Conquest: Frontier Wars Turbine Doc, Blanus, Battleship Video game 2002 Jing: King of Bandits Postino TV mini-series...
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