Ghana worm lizard

The Ghana worm lizard (Cynisca kraussi) is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is endemic to Ghana.^[2]

Ghana worm lizard
Conservation status
Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Lacertoidea
Clade:	Amphisbaenia
Family:	Amphisbaenidae
Genus:	Cynisca
Species:	C. kraussi
Binomial name
Cynisca kraussi (W. Peters, 1878)
Synonyms[2]
Amphisbaena kraussi W. Peters, 1878

Etymology

The specific name, kraussi, is in honor of German naturalist Christian Ferdinand Friedrich von Krauss.^[3]

Description

C. kraussi has 208–226 body annuli, and 16–19 tail annuli. At midbody an annulus has 14–20 dorsal segments, and 12–16 ventral segments. There are eight precloacal pores, which are large and round.^[2]

Geographic range

C. kraussi is found in southeastern Ghana.^[1][2]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of C. kraussi is forest, at altitudes from sea level to 500 m (1,600 ft).^[1]

Behavior

C. kraussi is terrestrial and fossorial.^[1]

Reproduction

C. kraussi is oviparous.^[2]