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Scattered distribution & low abundance of worm snakes vis-a-vis blind snakes of superfamily Typhlopoidea of Madhepura, Bihar, India

Kumari Ranjana*
University Department of Zoology, B.N.Mandal University, Madhepura, Bihar, India
Received : 4th May, 2020 ; Revised :14th June, 2020

Abstract : Common worm snakes also known as blind snakes are members of several non-venomous snakes characterized by degenerate eyes that lie beneath opaque head scales. As regards distribution, they are fossorial or burrowing and are regularly associated with termite’s and ant’s nest (termitorium and antorium respectively) as symbionts. Different species of blind snakes belong to the families Anomalepidae, Leptotyphlopidae and Typhlopidae falling under the superfamily Typhlipoidea. However the populations of these worm snakes are very small in the terrestrial tubes and termite’s as well as ant’s nests. Tyhlops neszoelyi (Daudin), a species of family Typhlopidae is the most common worm snake variously known as braminy blind snake, flowerpot snake, common blind snake etc. Since these three families are placed within the infraorder Scolecophidia of the order Ophidea, blind snakes are sometimes also called “Scolecophidian snakes”. As such, the diversity quantum of such creatures although may not be threatened or endangered is very less. In this communication, the unique scattered patterns of distribution & low diversity in terms of species relative abundance on the basis of survey & sampling of the creature in their natural abode have been discussed.

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