Argyrophis diardii
| Argyrophis diardii | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Typhlopidae |
| Genus: | Argyrophis |
| Species: | A. diardii
|
| Binomial name | |
| Argyrophis diardii Schlegel, 1839
| |
| Synonyms[3] | |
|
List
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Argyrophis diardii, commonly known as Diard's blind snake, the Indochinese blind snake, the large blind snake, and the large worm snake, is a species of harmless snake in the family Typhlopidae. The species is native to South Asia and Southeast Asia.[1] There are two recognized subspecies.
Taxonomy
Argyrophis diardii was first described by German herpetologist Hermann Schlegel in 1839, as Typhlops Diardii.[4] The type locality of Schlegel's specimen was "Cochinchina [southern Vietnam]". Saint Girons (1972: 32) described it as "Cochinchina sans certitude [southern Vietnam without certainty]", and Hahn (1980: 56) as "East Indies".[2]
Etymology
Both the specific name, diardii, and the common name, "Diard's blindsnake", are in honor of French naturalist Pierre-Médard Diard.[4][5]
The synonym, Typhlops Mülleri Schlegel, 1839, was named in honor of German naturalist Salomon Müller.[5]
Subspecies
Two subspecies of Argyrophis diardii are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies:[3]
Description
Argyrophis diardii is heavy-bodied for a blindsnake. It has 22–25 scale rows around the body at midbody. The belly is distinctly flat.[3]
Geographic distribution
Argyrophis diardii is found in India (Jalpaiguri-West Bengal, as far west as Dun Valley in Assam), Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Malay Peninsula, Nias Island, Sumatra, Web Island (off northwest Sumatra), Bangka, and Borneo.[1]
Habitat
The preferred natural habitats of Argyrophis diardii are forest, shrubland, and grassland, at elevations of 30–1,524 m (98–5,000 ft), and it has also been found in agricultural areas.[1]
Diet
Argyrophis diardii preys upon earthworms, insect larvae, and adult insects.[1]
Reproduction
The mode of reproduction of Argyrophis diardii is uncertain. The species may be either oviparous or ovoviviparous.[3]
References
- ^ a b c d e Limbu, K.P.; Ghosh, A.; Das, A. (2022). "Argyrophis diardii ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022 e.T178696A219112311. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-2.RLTS.T178696A219112311.en. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
- ^ a b McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré TA (1999). Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Volume 1. Washington, District of Columbia: Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
- ^ a b c d Species Argyrophis diardii at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
- ^ a b c Schlegel H (1839). Abbildungen neuer oder unvollständig bekannter Amphibien, nach der Natur oder dem Leben entworfen und mit einem erläuternden Texte begleitet. Düsseldorf: Arnz & Comp. xiv + 141 pp. ("Typhlops Diardii ", new species, p. 38). (in German).
- ^ a b Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. xiii + 296 pp. (Typhlops diardi, p. 72; Typhlops muelleri, p. 184).
- ^ Khan MS (1998). "Notes on Typhlops diardi Schlegel, 1839, with description of a new subspecies". Pakistan Journal of Zoology. 30 (3): 213−221. (Typhlops diardi platyventris, new subspecies).
Further reading
- Boulenger GA (1893). Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume I., Containing the Families Typhlopidæ .... London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xiii + 448 pp. + Plates I–XXVIII. (Typhlops diardi, pp. 22–23; T. muelleri, p. 25; T. nigroalbus, p. 24; T. schneideri, p. 27).
- Hahn, D.E. (1980). "Liste der rezenten Amphibien und Reptilien. Anomalepididae, Leototyphlopidae, Typhlopidae ". Das Tierreich. 101: 1–45. (in German).
- Saint Girons, H. (1972). Les Serpents du Cambodge. Paris: Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle. 170 pp. (in French).
- Wallach V (2000). "Critical review of some recent descriptions of Pakistani Typhlops by M.S. Khan, 1999 (Serpentes: Typhlopidae)". Hamadryad 25 (2): 129–143.