Morphological and biological variations of the glass snake Ophiodes striatus (Spix, 1825) (Squamata, Anguidae) from southeastern Brazil

Abstract

Lizards of the Ophiodes genus, popularly known as glass snakes, are exclusively Neotropical. Despite their wide geographic distribution, glass snakes are poorly studied and there are many knowledge gaps in their biology and ecology to be filled. In this context, the objective of this study was to analyze possible sexual and population morphological differences of Ophiodes striatus specimens collected from different municipalities in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. A total of 63 specimens belonging to the Herpetological Collection of the Federal University of Juiz de Fora -Reptiles (CHUFJF-Reptiles), collected between 1995 and 2015 were analyzed. All the specimens were necropsied and morphometric measures related to body and head were measured. The males and females analyzed showed similar morphometric measures, and there was no size-related sexual dimorphism. Principal component analysis did not group the analyzed specimens by sex or locality. A positive correlation was observed between the snout-vent length and the vestigial limb length. The present study brings new information related to sexual dimorphism and population morphometric variation of O. striatus, adding information that will help in better understanding the ecology, biology and evolution of the genus in Brazil.

Locomotion and morphological adaptations in the glass lizard Ophiodes cf. fragilis (Raddi, 1820) (Squamata: Anguidae)

“…fragilis were used in this study; two specimens (both adults, without apparent autotomy) used for locomotor behavior analysis, three specimens (two adults and one juvenile) for diaphanization analysis and five specimens (adults, totaling ten (2024) 96(2) e20230240 3 | 13 hind limbs) for histological analysis. Juvenile and adult indentification was performed by size (snouth-cloacal length) and sexing of adult specimens was performed by gonad analysis (Oliveira et al 2021). Sex differences related to locomotion were not the objective of analysis in our study; therefore, no specific analyzes were performed on sex differences in locomotion and their associated morphology.…”

First record of predation on South American Wormlizards (Ophiodes sp.) by Duméril’s False Coralsnake (Oxyrhopus clathratus)

“…Duméril's False Coralsnake, Oxyrhopus clathratus Duméril, Bibron, and Duméril 1854, occurs in eastern South America (Bernardo et al 2012) and feeds on lizards and small mammals (Marques and Sazima 2004). South American worm lizards, Ophiodes Wagler 1828 (Anguidae), range from northeastern to southern Brazil and also occur in Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina (Oliveira et al 2021). Understanding feeding habits of snakes as well as other aspects of natural history are crucial factors in aiding their conservation (Leite et al 2009).…”