Amphisbaena lumbricalis Vanzolini, 1996 is a synonym of Amphisbaena carvalhoi Gans, 1965 (Squamata, Amphisbaenidae)

Abstract

We reassessed the type-series of Amphisbaena lumbricalis Vanzolini, 1996 and Amphisbaena carvalhoi Gans, 1965, two small amphisbaenid species from northeastern Brazil, to evaluate the characters used to diagnose and distinguish them, and compared these data with additional specimens from four new localities. We found broadly overlapping ranges of the diagnostic characters, and no morphological traits that could support differences between A. carvalhoi and A. lumbricalis. Based on the morphological similarities, and the overlapping distribution ranges of both species, we consider A. lumbricalis as a junior synonym of A. carvalhoi. We provide updated data on intraspecific variation in the diagnostic characters of A. carvalhoi.