Burton's legless lizard
| Burton's legless lizard | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Pygopodidae |
| Genus: | Lialis |
| Species: | L. burtonis |
| Binomial name | |
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Lialis burtonis Gray, 1835 |
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Burton's legless lizard (Lialis burtonis) is a species of pygopodid lizard which means that it lacks forelegs and has only rudimentary hind legs. Pygopodid lizards are also referred to as "legless lizards", "flap-footed lizards" and "snake-lizards". This species is endemic to Australia and Papua New Guinea.
The specific name, burtonis, is in honour of British army surgeon Edward Burton (1790–1867).
Burton’s legless lizard (Lialis burtonis) is a member of the genus Lialis within the family Pygopodidae. There are approximately 40 species in the family Pygopodidae, however, Burton’s legless lizard and another species (L. jicari) are the only species that fall within genus Lialis. Members in genus Lialis are considered analogous to macrostomatan snakes as these taxonomic groups have functionally similar adaptations such as the ability to swallow relatively large prey whole. Differences between legless lizards and snakes, however, are that legless lizards lack venom glands, cannot constrict prey, they have a fleshy tongue rather than a forked tongue, they have visible ear holes and they have remnant hind limbs. Furthermore, Burton’s legless lizard and the Pygopodidae, as a whole, are most closely related genetically and anatomically to geckos in the family Gekkonidae. This is despite the convergence and superficial resemblance of this species with snakes.
Burton’s legless lizard has significant morphological adaptations to enable it to deal with large struggling prey items. The first adaptation is a skull with an elongated snout that may, along with its pointed, recurved and hinged teeth, be an adaptation that assists it to grip its prey. In addition, this elongated snout may also promote binocular vision which would allow strikes to be more accurately directed. Another adaptation that assists Burton’s legless lizard to hold its prey is its flexible mesokinetic and hypokinetic joints which allow its jaws to encircle prey. Lastly, the ability of the species to retract its eyes is of key importance as it is a visual predator that relies on eyesight and this adaptation effectively protects them during conflict.
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