''Xenophidion'' is 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 snakes first described in 1995, and the only genus of the monotypic family Xenophidiidae.. Commonly referred to as spinejaw snakes, this genus is found in Borneo and peninsular

Malaysia Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia. Featuring the Tanjung Piai, southernmost point of continental Eurasia, it is a federation, federal constitutional monarchy consisting of States and federal territories of Malaysia, 13 states and thre ...

Morphology and classification

This genus is taxonomically and phylogenetically challenging to classify, as these snakes possess several morphological traits that distinguish them from all other snake species; head scales with numerous sensory papillae, large prefrontal scales, and an upper jaw that has a spiny palatine process. They also lack any pelvic girdle vestiges, a left lung, or a coronoid bone. In 2004, cytochrome b sequencing suggested a sister relationship of ''Xenophidion'' to Bolyeriidae from

Mauritius Mauritius, officially the Republic of Mauritius, is an island country in the Indian Ocean, about off the southeastern coast of East Africa, east of Madagascar. It includes the main island (also called Mauritius), as well as Rodrigues, Ag ...

. Similar to ''Boyleriidae'', spinejaw snakes have a jointed maxilla.

Diet, reproduction, and habitat

Very little is known about this genus. Specimen dissection has revealed the presence of a partially digested skink and an oviparous mode of reproduction, but male specimens have not yet been identified.Xenophidion: The Snake with the Mystery Penis
snakesarelong.blogspot.com (28 September 2016) They are likely fossorial and may be under severe threat from palm oil agriculture.

Species

* ''

Xenophidion acanthognathus ''Xenophidion acanthognathus'', also known as the Bornean spine-jawed snake is a species of snake in the monotypic family Xenophidiidae. It is found in Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo, Malaysia Malaysia is a country in Sout ...

'' Günther & Manthey, 1995 * '' Xenophidion schaeferi'' Günther & Manthey, 1995

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q933635 Snake families Snake genera Alethinophidia