Blanus mariae

Maria's Worm Lizard (Blanus mariae) is an amphisbaenian species in the family Blanidae. The species is endemic to the Iberian Peninsula.

Geographic range

Blanus mariae is found in the southwestern Iberian Peninsula, mainly in the southern half of Portugal and in the spanish autonomous communities of Extremadura and western Andalusia.

Taxonomy

Blanus mariae forms a cryptic species complex with Blanus cinereus.

Etymology

The specific name, mariae, is in honour of Maria del Rosario Aguilar Tortajada (1914–2002), the grandmother of Eva María Albert, one of the scientists who described this species.

Description

Blanus mariae has an average snout–vent length of 175 mm. The body colour is pale pink to dark brilliant purple, with a reticulate pattern caused by the inter-segmental sutures.
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