Cite this article as:
Ismailova Z. S., Rabadanova Z. G. On the morphology of the blind snake (Xerotyphlops vermicularis (Merrem, 1820)) (Typhlopidae, Reptilia) in Dagestan. Current Studies in Herpetology, 2024, vol. 24, iss. 1, pp. 55-60. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18500/1814-6090-2024-24-1-2-55-60
On the morphology of the blind snake (Xerotyphlops vermicularis (Merrem, 1820)) (Typhlopidae, Reptilia) in Dagestan
The worm-like blind snake – Xerotyphlops vermicularis (Merrem, 1820) has a wide range. The Dagestan population is located at the northern limit of the species' range. This paper provides information on the morphology of the Dagestan population and a comparison of its morphological data with the Turkish and Cypriot populations. A total of 67 sexually mature individuals (14 males and 53 females) were studied. 23 signs were analyzed, of which 19 were linear and 4 were signs of folidosis. The data obtained as a result of the study showed differences between the sexes within the Dagestan population. The values of the characteristics of pholidosis were within the variability of the species. Data obtained from comparing the Dagestan population with the Turkish and Cypriot ones also revealed differences and showed that the Dagestan blind snakes are larger.
Alkhasov M. M. Activity and abundance of the blind snake and collared eyrenis in the foothills of Dagestan. In: Biomassa i produktivnost' landshaftov Dagestana [Biomass and Productivity of Landscapes of Dagestan]. Makhachkala, Dagestan branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences Publ., 1980, pp. 7–10 (in Russian).
Alkhasov M. M. Species composition and distribution of snakes in Dagestan. In: Biomassa i produktivnost' landshaftov Dagestana [Biomass and Productivity of Landscapes of Dagestan]. Makhachkala, Dagestan branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences Publ., 1981, pp. 80–81 (in Russian).
Mazanaeva L. F., Gichikhanova U. A., Askenderov A. D., Ismailova Z. S. About the herpetological collection of the Dagestan State University. All-Russian Conference “Zoological Collections as the Source of Genetic Resources of the World Fauna – Classical and Modern Approaches to its Study, Storage and Use”: Program, Abstracts of Talks and Posters. Saint Petersburg, Zoological Institute RAS Publ., 2022, pp. 27 (in Russian).
Shcherbak N. N. Conservation of amphibians and reptiles. In: Rukovodstvo po izucheniyu zemnovodnykh i presmykayushchikhsya [Guide to the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles]. Kyiv, Naukova dumka, 1989, pp. 12–16 (in Russian).
Akman B., Göçmen B. Comparison of the вlind snake populations, Xerotyphlops vermicularis (Merrem, 1820) (Squamata: Typhlopidae) in Turkey and Cyprus: Morphology, serology, ecology, and geometric morphemetrics. Commagene Journal of Biology, 2019, vol. 3, iss. 1, pp. 6–18. https://doi.org/10.31594/commagene.522170
Afroosheh M., Rastegar-Pouyani N., Ghoreishi S., Kami H. Comparison of geographic variations in Typhlops vermicularis (Merrem, 1820) (Ophidia: Typhlopidae) from the Iranian plateau with Turkey and Turkmenistan. Turkish Journal of Zoology, 2013, vol. 37, no. 6, pp. 685–692. https://doi.org/10.3906/zoo-1204-30
Mazanaeva L., Gichikhanova U., Askenderov A. Xerotyphlops vermicularis (Eurasian blind snake). Pheno-logy. Herpetological Review, 2022, vol. 53, no. 3, pp. 523–524.
Tuniyev B. S., Orlov N. L., Ananjeva N. B., Aghasyan A. L. Snakes of the Caucasus: Taxonomic Diversity, Distribution, Conservation. Saint Peterburg, Moscow, KMK Scientific Press, 2019, pp. 36.
