2255
Author
Broadley, Donald G.
Author
Wallach, Van
text
Zootaxa
2009
2009-10-08
2255
1
100
journal article
11755334
Megatyphlops
gen. nov.
Giant blind-snakes
Type
species.
—
Onychocephalus mucruso
Peters, 1854
, Ber. Bekanntmach. Geeignet. Verhandl. Königl.- Preuss. Akad. Wiss. Berlin, 1854(11): 621.
Diagnosis.
—An endemic African genus characterized by the following combination of characters: snout sharply angular in profile, with a keratinized horizontal edge in adults, supralabial imbrication pattern T-II or T-X, nasal shield incompletely divided and lacking posterior concavity, nostrils directed ventrally, inferior nasal suture contacting first or second supralabial or rostral
(
Megatyphlops anomalus
)
, 3–7 postoculars, dorsal rostral broad (greater than 1/2 interocular head width), ventral rostral broad (greater than 1/2 internarial snout width), well-developed eye with discernible pupil, dorsum pigmented (often with lineate, mottled or blotched pattern), and vestigial left lung present. Other typical characters include 30–44 midbody scale rows, robust body (length/width 17–58), and large size (maximum length
350–950 mm
).
Distribution.
—Endemic to eastern and southern Africa.
Content.
—Four species.