Trogonophis wiegmanni Kaup, 1830

Shared Morphological Traits Overview

Both subspecies of Trogonophis wiegmanni share the following morphological characteristics.

Head Shape

The head is rounded and slightly compressed dorsoventrally, with a slightly protruding snout.

Head Features

Two pairs of cephalic shields are present, nostrils open forward, and external ears are absent.

Skull Structure

Compared to other members of the family Trogonophidae, this species has an elongate skull.

Body Form

Its body is wormlike: it is legless, elongate, cylindrical, and annulated, with sunken lateral lines.

Tail Characteristics

The short, conical tail does not have the ability to autotomize (self-amputate).

Body Proportion and Pores

Relative to other legless lizards, the body of T. wiegmanni is short and stout, and neither sex has pre-anal pores.

Microhabitat Preferences

T. wiegmanni occurs in areas with abundant leaf litter, sandy moist soil covered by stones and other ground cover.

Additional Habitat Occurrences

It can also be found near roadsides, in traditionally cultivated areas, in oak forest and oak-juniper forests, in non-vegetated sandy patches, and in steppe habitat.

Tolerated Habitat Types

This species tolerates a broad range of habitat types, including temperate forest, shrubland, temperate grassland, artificial terrestrial arable land, and artificial terrestrial pastureland.

Elevation Range

It has been recorded at elevations ranging from sea level up to 1,900 m (6,200 ft).

Geographic Distribution

The native geographic range of T. wiegmanni covers northern Algeria, western Morocco, the Chafarinas Islands belonging to Spain, and northwestern Tunisia.

Reproduction Mode

T. wiegmanni is a viviparous species.