Distribution extension and a new state record for Amphisbaena mertensi Strauch, 1881 (Squamata, Amphisbaenidae) in central Brazil

Abstract

We updated the distribution of Amphisbaena mertensi to northeastern central Brazil based on the finding of a specimen in an urban area in the Cerrado. This species had already been recorded in south-central Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. Our new record is 300 km away from the nearest point, Araguari, in the north of the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. We included a distribution map for the species in South America, and a list of the amphisbaenas species found in Distrito Federal and discuss the conservation of this group.

<i>Amphisbaena mertensii</i> (Squamata: Amphisbaenidae): Notes on natural history, distribution, and morphology

“…Our localities represent twice and 1.6 times the number of records from these two maps. Corrêa and Meneses (2020) alleged that their record from Brasília, central Brazil, is the northernmost known record of A. mertensii, but they and Colli et al (2016) did not include three localities north of Brasília from where A. mertensii is reported: Chapada dos Guimarães (Strüssmann and Mott 2009), Campo Novo dos Parecis (Ribeiro et al 2019), and São Miguel do Araguaia (Moreira et al 2009). Corrêa and Meneses (2020) also stated the specimen from Brasília was the first of A. mertensii from an urban area, but it is not (Barbo and Sawaya 2008, Moraes and Recchia 2011, Silveira et al 2012.…”

“…Amphisbaena mertensii Strauch, 1881 is a worm lizard with a broad geographic range, occurring in southeastern and west-central Brazil, eastern Paraguay, and northeastern Argentina (Gans 1966, Corrêa andMeneses 2020). Among South American amphisbaenians, A. mertensii is relatively well-studied, including data on activity (Moraes and Recchia 2011), defensive behavior (Brito et al 2001, Andrade et al 2006, Navega-Gonçalves and Benites 2019), diet and feeding behavior (Cruz-Neto and Abe 1993, Pramuk and Alamillo 2003, Moraes and Recchia 2011, Navega-Gonçalves and Benites 2019, predation (Sazima and Abe 1991, Duarte 2006, Barbo and Sawaya 2008, Barbo et al 2011, Rodríguez et al 2018), reproduction (Pramuk and Alamillo 2003, Andrade et al 2006, Aguirre et al 2017, thermal ecology (Abe 1984), distribution and habitat (Pramuk and Alamillo 2003, Ribeiro et al 2007, Moraes and Recchia 2011, Silveira et al 2012, Corrêa and Meneses 2020, cytogenetics (Hernando 2005) and anatomy Souza 2001, Gans andMontero 2008). This species can be found in environments of native vegetation (Zaracho et al 2014), pasturelands (Pramuk and Alamillo 2003), and even urban areas (Barbo and Sawaya 2008, Moraes and Recchia 2011, Silveira et al 2012.…”

“…In this work, we present the first evidence of A. mertensii as prey of a bird, based on a field observation. Additionally, we review the species' geographic range, filling gaps from recent published maps (Colli et al 2016, Corrêa andMeneses 2020). Finally, based on specimens housed in scientific collections, we add information on the morphology of A. mertensii.…”