Two New Blind Snake Species of the GenusLiotyphlops(Serpentes: Anomalepididae), from Central and South Brazil

Abstract

Two new species of Liotyphlops are described from Brazil, one from the Cerrado Biome in central Brazil and the other from the Atlantic Rainforest Biome in south Brazil. The new species are mainly diagnosed by the arrangement of cephalic scales and bones and counts of body scales. High-resolution X-ray computed tomography (HRXCT) was used to present data on the skull of the holotypes. In addition, meristic characters for all species of Liotyphlops are presented in comparison to the new species. Duas novas especies de Liotyphlops sao descritas do Brasil, uma do Bioma Cerrado no Brasil central e outra do Bioma Mata Atlântica no sul do Brasil. As novas especies sao diagnosticadas principalmente pelo arranjo de escamas e ossos cefalicos e contagens de escamas corporais. Tomografia computadorizada de raios X de alta resolucao (HRXCT) foi utilizada para apresentar dados do crânio dos holotipos. Alem disso, caracteres meristicos para todas as especies de Liotyphlops sao apresentados em comparacao com as novas esp...