''Blanus'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial nom ...

amphisbaenia Amphisbaenia (called amphisbaenians or worm lizards) is a group of usually legless squamates, comprising over 200 extant species. Amphisbaenians are characterized by their long bodies, the reduction or loss of the limbs, and rudimentary eyes. As ...

ns found in the

Mediterranean region In biogeography, the Mediterranean Basin (; also known as the Mediterranean Region or sometimes Mediterranea) is the region of lands around the Mediterranean Sea that have mostly a Mediterranean climate, with mild to cool, rainy winters and wa ...

of Europe and North Africa. 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 The Amphisbaenidae (common name: worm lizards) are a family of amphisbaenians, a group of limbless vertebrates. Geographic range Amphisbaenids occur in South America, some Caribbean islands, Europe, and sub-Saharan Africa. Taxonomy One deep- ...

. More recent analyses suggest that blanids are more primitive, and are either related to '' Bipes'' or represent an even more ancient lineage. A number of fossils from Europe have been referred either to ''Blanus'' or to the Blanidae.

Species

Evolutionary tree of the Blanidae - Journal

The genus contains the following

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriat ...

Blanus ''Blanus'' is a genus of amphisbaenians found in the Mediterranean region of Europe and North Africa. Like other amphisbaenians, ''Blanus'' species are specialized for a subterranean existence, with long, slender bodies, reduced limbs, and rudim ...

Wikispecies. * ''

Blanus alexandri ''Blanus alexandri'', called Alexander's worm-lizard, is an amphisbaenian species in the family Blanidae. It is endemic in Adana, Hatay, Gaziantep, and Şırnak Şırnak ( ku, شرنەخ, Şirnex) is a town in southeastern Turkey. It is the c ...

Sindaco The (; plural: ) is a local administrative division of Italy, roughly equivalent to a township or municipality. It is the third-level administrative division of Italy, after regions ('' regioni'') and provinces (''province''). The can also ...

, Kornilios,

Sacchi Sacchi is an Italian surname. Notable people with the surname include: * Ada Sacchi Simonetta (1874–1944), Italian librarian and women's rights activist *Andrea Sacchi (1599–1661), Italian Baroque painter * Antonio Sacchi (died 1694), Italian B ...

& Lymberakis, 2014 * ''

Blanus aporus ''Blanus aporus'' is an amphisbaenian species in the family Blanidae. It is found in western Turkey (from Pamphylia and Cilicia in southern Anatolia), Syria, and Lebanon. It was regarded by recent authors as a subspecies of '' Blanus strau ...

'' Werner, 1898 * ''

Blanus cinereus The Iberian worm lizard, Mediterranean worm lizard, or European worm lizard (''Blanus cinereus'') is a species of reptile in the family Blanidae (worm lizards) of the clade Amphisbaenia. The Iberian worm lizard is locally known as ''cobra-cega' ...

'' ( Vandelli, 1797) –

Iberian worm lizard The Iberian worm lizard, Mediterranean worm lizard, or European worm lizard (''Blanus cinereus'') is a species of reptile in the family Blanidae (worm lizards) of the clade Amphisbaenia. The Iberian worm lizard is locally known as ''cobra-ceg ...

* ''

Blanus mariae Maria's worm lizard (''Blanus mariae'') is an amphisbaenian species in the family Blanidae. The species is endemic to the Iberian Peninsula. Geographic range ''Blanus mariae'' is found in the southwestern Iberian Peninsula, mainly in the sout ...

Albert Albert may refer to: Companies * Albert (supermarket), a supermarket chain in the Czech Republic * Albert Heijn, a supermarket chain in the Netherlands * Albert Market, a street market in The Gambia * Albert Productions, a record label * Alber ...

& Fernández, 2009 * ''

Blanus mendezi ''Blanus'' is a genus of amphisbaenians found in the Mediterranean region of Europe and North Africa. Like other amphisbaenians, ''Blanus'' species are specialized for a subterranean existence, with long, slender bodies, reduced limbs, and rud ...

''† Bolet ''et al.'', 2014 * ''

Blanus mettetali The Moroccan worm lizard (''Blanus mettetali'') is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Blanidae. The species is endemic to Morocco. Etymology The specific name, ''mettetali'', is in honor of a Mr. Mettetal who was head of the Laboratory ...

'' Bons, 1963 –

Moroccan worm lizard The Moroccan worm lizard (''Blanus mettetali'') is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Blanidae. The species is endemic to Morocco. Etymology The specific name, ''mettetali'', is in honor of a Mr. Mettetal who was head of the Laboratory ...

* ''

Blanus strauchi The Turkish worm lizard (''Blanus strauchi'') is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Blanidae. The species is native to Southeast Europe and the Middle East. There are two recognized subspecies. Etymology The specific name, ''strauchi'' ...

'' ( Bedriaga, 1884) –

Turkish worm lizard The Turkish worm lizard (''Blanus strauchi'') is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Blanidae. The species is native to Southeast Europe and the Middle East. There are two recognized subspecies. Etymology The specific name, ''strauchi'' ...

* ''

Blanus tingitanus ''Blanus tingitanus'' is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Blanidae. www.reptile-database.org. Geographic range ''B. tingitanus'' is found in northern Morocco including Ceuta (a Spanish autonomous city). Taxonomy and systematics ''B. ...

'' Busack, 1988

References

Lizard genera Taxa named by Johann Georg Wagler Taxonomy articles created by Polbot {{lizard-stub