Aggregative behaviour in the fossorial lizard Amphisbaena darwinii (Squamata, Amphisbaenidae)

Abstract

Amphisbaena is a species-rich genus widely distributed in the Neotropics, from Middle America to central-eastern Argentina and Uruguay (Gans, 2005). The natural history of these fossorial Squamata has been scarcely studied, although several species are common in varied biomes. One of these poorly known forms is Amphisbaena darwinii Duméril & Bibron 1839 although being widely distributed in southern and central Uruguay (Gans, 1966). This species is a common inhabitant of urban and suburban areas in this country, including gardens and backyards where it can be easily found under rocks, rotten logs, and a varied kind of human-made refuges (pers. obs.). We present herein observations on A. darwinii made from 2008 to 2011 as part of herpetofaunal inventories in southern Uruguay.