Burton's legless lizard | 台北市立動物園資訊網

Burton'sleglesslizard(Lialisburtonis)isaspeciesoflizardinthefamilyPygopodidae.Thespecieslacksforelegsandhasonlyrudimentaryhindlegs.

Species of lizard

Burtons legless lizard (Lialis burtonis) is a species of lizard in the family Pygopodidae. The species lacks forelegs and has only rudimentary hind legs.[2] Pygopodid lizards are also referred to as "legless lizards",[3] "flap-footed lizards"[4] and "snake-lizards".[5] This species is native to Australia and Papua New Guinea.[6]

English zoologist John Edward Gray described Burtons legless lizard in 1835.[7] The specific name, burtonis, is in honour of British army surgeon Edward Burton (1790–1867).[8] Burtons legless lizard (Lialis burtonis) is a member of the genus Lialis within the family Pygopodidae.[4] There are approximately 40 species in the family Pygopodidae, however, Burtons legless lizard and another species (L. jicari) are the only species that fall within genus Lialis.[4] Members in genus Lialis are considered analogous to macrostomatan snakes as these taxonomic groups have functionally similar adaptations such as the ability to swallow ...