NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Uropeltidae

Common names: pipe snakes, shield-tailed snakes.^[2]

The Uropeltidae are a family of primitive burrowing snakes found in southern India and Sri Lanka. The name is derived from the Greek words ura ("tail") and pelte ("shield"), indicating the presence of the large keratinous shield at the tip of the tail. Currently, 8 genera are recognized comprising 47 species.^[2] Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Binomial name Cuvier, 1829 Synonyms Uropeltis ceylanicus - Cuvier, 1829 Uropeltis Ceylanicus - Cocteau, 1833 Uropeltis ceylonica - Wagler, 1830 Pseudo-typhlops ceylanicus - Schlegel, 1839 Siluboura Ceylonicus - Gray, 1845 U[ropeltis]. Ceylonicus - Gray, 1845 [Coloburus] Ceylanicus - A.M.C. DumÃ©ril & A.H.A DumÃ©ril, 1854 Siluboura ceylonica - Gray, 1858 Silybura ceylanica... Scientific classification or biological classification is a method by which biologists group and categorize species of organisms. ... For other uses, see Animal (disambiguation). ... Typical Classes Subphylum Urochordata - Tunicates Ascidiacea Thaliacea Larvacea Subphylum Cephalochordata - Lancelets Subphylum Myxini - Hagfishes Subphylum Vertebrata - Vertebrates Petromyzontida - Lampreys Placodermi (extinct) Chondrichthyes - Cartilaginous fishes Acanthodii (extinct) Actinopterygii - Ray-finned fishes Actinistia - Coelacanths Dipnoi - Lungfishes Amphibia - Amphibians Reptilia - Reptiles Aves - Birds Mammalia - Mammals Chordates (phylum Chordata) include the vertebrates, together with... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Orders Crocodilia - Crocodilians scary crocodiles. ... Suborders Lacertilia- Lizards Serpentes - Snakes Amphisbaenia - Worm lizards This article is about the Squamata order of reptiles. ... Families Acrochordidae Aniliidae Anomalepididae Anomochilidae Atractaspididae Boidae Bolyeriidae Colubridae Cylindrophiidae Elapidae Hydrophiidae Leptotyphlopidae Loxocemidae Pythonidae Tropidophiidae Typhlopidae Uropeltidae Viperidae Xenopeltidae Snakes are cold blooded legless reptiles closely related to lizards, which share the order Squamata. ... Common names: (none). ... Johannes Peter MÃ¼ller (July 14, 1801, Koblenz â€“ April 28, 1858, Berlin), was a German physiologist, comparative anatomist, and ichthyologist not only known for his discoveries but also for his ability to synthesize knowledge. ... Year 1832 (MDCCCXXXII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a leap year starting on Friday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... In scientific nomenclature, synonyms are different scientific names used for a single taxon. ... The hierarchy of scientific classification In biological classification, family (Latin: familia, plural familiae) is a rank, or a taxon in that rank. ... Infraorders and Families Alethinophidia - Nopcsa, 1923 Acrochordidae- Bonaparte, 1831 Aniliidae - Stejneger, 1907 Anomochilidae - Cundall, Wallach & Rossman, 1993 Atractaspididae - GÃ¼nther, 1858 Boidae - Gray, 1825 Bolyeriidae - Hoffstetter, 1946 Colubridae - Oppel, 1811 Cylindrophiidae - Fitzinger, 1843 Elapidae - F. Boie, 1827 Loxocemidae - Cope, 1861 Pythonidae - Fitzinger, 1826 Tropidophiidae - Brongersma, 1951 Uropeltidae - MÃ¼ller, 1832... For other uses, see Genus (disambiguation). ... The hierarchy of scientific classification. ...

Description

These are small snakes, with adults growing to between 20 and 75 cm in length. They are adapted to a fossorial way of life, which is apparent in their anatomy. The skull is primitive and inflexible, with a short vertical quadrate bone and rigid jaws; the coronoid bone is still present in the lower jaw. The orbital bones are absent, the supratemporal is vestigial and the eyes are small and degenerate, not covered by a brille, but by large polygonal shields. However, the pelvis and hind limbs, the presence of which is also considered a primitive trait, have disappeared in this family.^[3] A fossorial is an organism that is adapted to digging and life underground such as the mole salamanders Ambystomatidae. ... The quadrate is a jaw bone in all jawed vertebrates except mammals (in whom it has become a middle-ear bone, the incus). ... The brille (also called the ocular scale, eye cap or spectacle) is the layer of transparent, immovable disc-shaped skin or scale covering the eyes of some animals for protection, especially in animals without eyelids. ...

The tail is characteristic, ending in either A) an enlarged rigid scale with two points, or more often an upper surface with a subcircular area covered with thickened spiny scales, or B) a much enlarged spiny plate. The ventral scales are much reduced in size.^[3] The body is cylindrical and covered with smooth scales. Amphiesma stolata In snakes, the ventral scales, or gastrosteges, are the enlarged scales that extend down the underside of the body[1] from the head to the anal plate. ... Elaborately shaped scales on the head of a Vine snake Ahaetulla nasuta. ...

Geographic range

Found in southern India and Sri Lanka.^[1] In India, their distribution is mainly along the hills of Western Ghats, and only one species, Elliot's shieldtail, Uropeltis ellioti, has been reported from other areas such as Eastern Ghats and hills of Central India. In Sri Lanka, they occur in areas whose climatic conditions are similar to that of Western Ghats, like the south western part of Sri Lanka. The Agasthiyamalai range of the Western Ghats The Western Ghats are a mountain range in India. ... Binomial name Uropeltis ellioti (Gray, 1858) Elliots Earth Snake Uropeltis ellioti is a species of snake. ... The Eastern Ghats are a discontinuous range of mountains, eroded and cut through by the four major rivers of southern India, the Godavari, Mahanadi, Krishna, and Kaveri. ... The geography of India is extremely diverse, with landscape ranging from snow-capped mountain ranges to deserts, plains, hills and plateaus. ...

Feeding

The diet consists mostly of invertebrates, particularly earth worms, although few studies have verified this. Invertebrate is an English word that describes any animal without a spinal column. ... Earthworm is the common reference for the larger members of the Oligochaeta (which is either a class or subclass depending on the author) in the phylum Annelida. ...

Reproduction

All members of this family lay eggs (ovoviviparous). Ovoviviparous animals develop within eggs that remain within the mothers body up until they hatch or are about to hatch. ...

Genera

^T) , , Type genus.^[1] Binomial name Wall, 1921 Synonyms Brachyophidium - Wall, 1921 Brachyophidium rhodogaster - Wall, 1921 Terestrurus rhodogaster - M.A. Smith, 1943 Brachyophidium rhodogaster - Rajendran, 1985[1] Common names: (none). ... Year 1921 (MCMXXI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar). ... The Palni Hills (also Palani Hills) are a mountain range in Tamil Nadu state of southern India. ... Synonyms Melanophidium - GÃ¼nther, 1864[1] Common names: (none). ... Albrecht Carl Ludwig Gotthilf GÃ¼nther. ... 1864 (MDCCCLXIV) was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a leap year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... Peermade view Peermade is a tiny Indian hill station, high in the Western Ghats in Kerala, India. ... Kerala ( ; Malayalam: à´•àµ‡à´°à´³à´‚; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of southwestern India. ... The Anaimalai Hills (insert correct à®¤à®®à®¿à®´à¯ Script) is a range of mountains in the Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu and Kerala states of South India. ... Tamil Nadu (தமிழ் நாடு, Land of the Tamils) is a state at the southern tip of India. ... Synonyms Platyplectrurus - GÃ¼nther, 1868 Wallia - Werner, 1925[1] Common names: (none). ... Year 1868 (MDCCCLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a leap year starting on Monday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Synonyms Plectrurus - A.H.A. DumÃ©ril In A.M.C. DumÃ©ril & A.H.A. DumÃ©ril, 1851 Maudia - Gray, 1858 Plectrurus - Boulenger, 1890 Pseudoplectrurus - Boulenger, 1890 Plectrurus - Mahendra, 1984[1] Common names: (none). ... Auguste DumÃ©ril. ... 1851 (MDCCCLI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Binomial name This is a genus of reptile, containing one species; Large Shield Snake (Pseudotyphlops philippinus) http://members. ... Hermann Schlegel. ... 1839 (MDCCCXXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Uva Province, Sri Lanka Uva is Sri Lankas second least populated province, with 1,187,335 people, created in 1896. ... Sabaragamuwa is a province of Sri Lanka, and contains two main cities: Ratnapura and Kegalle. ... Synonyms Rhinophis - Hemprich, 1820 Dapatnaya - Kelaart, 1853 Mitylia - Gray, 1858 Mytilia - Gray, 1858 Morina - Gray, 1858[1] Common names: (none). ... Wilhelm Friedrich Hemprich (June 24, 1796 - June 30, 1825) was a German naturalist. ... 1820 was a leap year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Binomial name (Beddome, 1867) Synonyms Teretrurus - Beddome, 1866 Teretrurus sanguineus - Beddome, 1867[1] Common names: purple-red earth snake. ... Colonel Richard Henry Beddome (11 May 1830 - 23 February 1911) was a British military officer in India and a naturalist. ... Year 1886 (MDCCCLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Wayanad District, in the north-east of Kerala, India, was formed on November 1, 1980 as the 12th district, carved out of Kozhikode District and Kannur District. ... Flag for former princely state of Travancore Travancore or Thiruvithaamkoor (Malayalam: à´¤à´¿à´°àµà´µà´¿à´¤à´¾à´™àµà´•àµ‚à´°àµâ€ [], à´¤à´¿à´°àµà´µà´¿à´¤à´¾à´‚à´•àµ‚à´°àµâ€ [], à´¤à´¿à´°àµà´µà´¿à´¤à´¾à´™àµà´•àµ‹à´Ÿàµ []) was a princely state in India with its capital at Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram). ... The Agasthiyamalai range of the Western Ghats The Western Ghats are a mountain range in India. ... , Tirunelveli district [8] is the penultimate southern most district of Tamilnadu in India. ... Munnar Hills Munnar (Malayalam: , Tamil: ) is a town located in the southern state of Kerala in India. ... Synonyms Uropeltis - Cuvier, 1829 Coloburus - A.H.A. DumÃ©ril In A.M.C. DumÃ©ril & A.H.A. DumÃ©ril, 1851 Siloboura - Gray, 1858 Crealia - Gray, 1858 Silybura - Peters, 1861[1] Common names: (none). ... Georges Cuvier Baron Georges LÃ©opold ChrÃ©tien FrÃ©dÃ©ric Dagobert Cuvier (August 23, 1769â€“May 13, 1832) was a French naturalist and zoologist. ... Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 1829 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Type specimens When a new species is discovered, more important than creating a new and unique name for the species is developing a reasonably detailed description. ...

See also

Cited references

The Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) is a partnership designed to provide consistent and reliable information on the taxonomy of biological species. ... is the 229th day of the year (230th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ...

External links

Category: Uropeltidae is the 231st day of the year (232nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... This is a list of the extant Serpentes families. ... Typical Classes See below Chordates (phylum Chordata) are a group of animals that includes the vertebrates, together with several closely related invertebrates. ... Orders Crocodilia - Crocodilians scary crocodiles. ... Suborders Lacertilia- Lizards Serpentes - Snakes Amphisbaenia - Worm lizards This article is about the Squamata order of reptiles. ... Common names: (none). ... Species Acrochordus granulatus Acrochordus arafurae Acrochordus javanicus Acrochordidae is a family of three species of primitive xenophidian snakes from the Australian and Indonesian regions. ... FAMILY ANILIDAE (cylinder snakes) All of these species in the family Anilidae possess a vestigial pelvic girdle which is visible as cloacal spurs. ... Anomochilidae is a biological family of dwarf pipesnakes native to Malaysia and the East Indies. ... A small, unusual group of advanced snakes, often called mole vipers or stilleto snakes. ... For other uses, see Boa (disambiguation). ... This article needs cleanup. ... Genera According to ITIS: Adelophis Adelphicos Alsophis Amastridium Arizona Arrhyton Atractus Bogertophis Boiga Carphophis Cemophora Cerberus Chersodromus Chilomeniscus Chionactis Clelia Clonophis Coluber Coniophanes Conophis Conopsis Contia Cryophis Dendrelaphis Dendrophidion Diadophis Dipsas Dryadophis Drymarchon Drymobius Elaphe Enulius Eridiphas Erythrolamprus Farancia Ficimia Geagras Geophis Gyalopion Heterodon Hypsiglena Imantodes Lampropeltis Leptodeira Leptophis Liochlorophis... Species There are 10 species: Cylindrophis aruensis Cylindrophis boulengeri Cylindrophis engkariensis - Engkari pipe snake Cylindrophis isolepis Cylindrophis lineatus Cylindrophis maculatus Cylindrophis melanotus Cylindrophis opisthorhodus Cylindrophis rufus Cylindrophis yamdena The Asian pipe snakes (genus Cylindrophis) are a group of snakes of the superfamily Henophidia. ... The Elapidae, or elapids, are a family of highly venomous snakes found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, including the Indian Ocean and the Pacific. ... SUBFAMILY LOXOCEMINAE (Mexicam Dwarf Pythons) Contains only 1 single genus. ... Genera Antaresia Aspidites Leiopython Liasis Morelia Python Pythonidae is a family of constricting snakes, sometimes classified as an subfamily of Boidae. ... Genera Exiliboa Trachyboa Tropidophis Ungaliophis The dwarf boas are a group of snakes traditionally classified as the family Tropidophiidae but sometimes as the subfamily Tropidophiinae within the family Boidae. ... Synonyms Viperae - Laurenti, 1768 Viperini - Oppel, 1811 Viperidae - Gray, 1825[1] The Viperidae are a family of venomous snakes commonly referred to as vipers, although the term viperids is more specific and distinguishes them from the viperines (subfamily Viperinae). ... The family Xenopeltidae - the Sunbeam Snake - is a family containing only a single genus. ... Common names: blind snakes, thread snakes. ... Genera Anomalepis Helminthophis Liotyphlops Typhlophis Anomalepididae is a family of American blind snakes. ... FAMILY LEPTOTYPHLOPIDAE (slender blind snakes) This family of snakes is composed of 2 genera and about 41 species occurring in the Americas, Africa and Asia. ... Genera Acutotyphlops Cyclotyphlops Ramphotyphlops Rhinotyphlops Typhlops Xenotyphlops TYPHLOPIDAE (blind snakes) This family contains 240 species in 3 genera. ...

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