Blanus Skull By Nick Longrich
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''Blanus'', also known as ''worm lizards'', are a
genus Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...
of
amphisbaenia Amphisbaenia (called amphisbaenians or worm lizards) is a group of typically legless lizards, comprising over 200 extant species. Amphisbaenians are characterized by their long bodies, the reduction or loss of the limbs, and rudimentary eyes. A ...
ns 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 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. Four to seven 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 (biology), family of amphisbaenians, a group of limbless vertebrates. There are 12 genera, containing 183 species. Geographic range Amphisbaenids occur in South America, some Caribbean ...
. 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

The genus contains the following
species A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ...
: Blanus Wikispecies. * '' Blanus alexandri''
Sindaco A (; : , ) is an administrative division of Italy, roughly equivalent to a township or municipality. It is the third-level administrative division of Italy, after regions () and provinces (). The can also have the title of (). Formed ac ...
, Kornilios, Sacchi & Lymberakis, 2014
* '' Blanus aporus'' 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 * '' Blanus mariae'' Albert &
Fernández Fernández () is a Spanish patronymic surname meaning "son of Fernando" of Germanic origin. The Germanic name Ferdinand that it derives from ( Gothic: ''Frið-nanð'') means "brave traveler." The Portuguese version of this surname is Fernandes ...
, 2009
* '' Blanus mendezi''† Bolet ''et al.'', 2014 * '' Blanus mettetali'' Bons, 1963Moroccan worm lizard * '' Blanus strauchi'' ( Bedriaga, 1884)Turkish worm lizard * '' Blanus tingitanus'' Busack, 1988


References

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