View source for Anomochilus

{{good article}}
{{Short description|Genus of reptiles from Southeast Asia}}
{{Use list-defined references|date=August 2023}}

{{Automatic taxobox
| parent_authority = [[David Cundall|Cundall]], [[Van Wallach|Wallach]] & [[Douglas A. Rossman|Rossman]], 1993
| taxon = Anomochilus
| image = Anomochilus monticola.jpg
| image_alt = coiled black snake
| image_caption = ''[[Anomochilus monticola]]''
| authority = [[Carlos Berg|Berg]], 1901
| type_species = ''Anomalochilus weberi''
| type_species_authority = [[Theodorus Willem van Lidth de Jeude|Lidth de Jeude]], 1890<ref name = TRD>{{cite web |url=https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Anomochilus&species=weberi |title=''Anomochilus weberi'' (LIDTH DE JEUDE, 1890) |access-date=18 September 2023 |website=The Reptile Database}}</ref>
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision = *''[[Anomochilus leonardi|A. leonardi]]'' <small>[[Malcolm Arthur Smith|M. A. Smith]], 1940</small>
*''[[Anomochilus monticola|A. monticola]]'' <small>[[Indraneil Das|Das]], [[Maklarin Lakim|Lakim]], [[Kelvin K. P. Lim|Lim]] & [[Tan Heok Hui|Hui]], 2008</small>
*''[[Anomochilus weberi|A. weberi]]'' <small>Lidth de Jeude, 1890</small>
| display_parents = 3
| synonyms = * ''Anomalochilus'' {{small|Lidth de Jeude ''in'' [[Max Carl Wilhelm Weber|Weber]], 1890}}
}}

'''Anomochilidae''' is a [[Family (biology)|family]] of snakes with one [[genus]], '''''Anomochilus''''', containing three [[species]] of snake. Members of the genus are known as '''anomochilids''', or by the [[common name|common names]] '''dwarf pipesnakes''', '''lesser pipesnakes''', and '''giant blind snakes'''.<ref name="OShea2023" /><ref name="Das2010" /> Initially created as ''Anomalochilus'' in 1890 for the species ''[[Anomochilus weberi|A. weberi]]'', the genus was renamed in 1901 because the original name was already [[preoccupied|in use]] for a genus of beetles. Dwarf pipesnakes are small and cylindrical, with short, conical tails and small, rounded heads that are continuous with the neck. They have blackish to purplish-brown uppersides and dark brown or black undersides, with orange-red bands around the tail and a variety of pale markings on the snout and belly. All three species of dwarf pipesnake are [[endemic]] to [[Sundaland]], where they are found on the [[Malay Peninsula]] and the islands of [[Sumatra]] and Borneo.

Adapted to living underground, dwarf pipesnakes inhabit leaf litter in lowland and [[montane rainforest]]s at elevations of {{Cvt|220–1513|m|ft}}. They are poorly studied and little is known about their diets and reproductive habits. They probably feed on earthworms, snakes, and [[legless lizards]], and uniquely within their superfamily, lay eggs to give birth. Two species of dwarf pipesnake, ''A. weberi'' and ''[[Anomochilus monticola|monticola]]'', are classified as being [[Data Deficient]] by the [[IUCN]], while the third species, ''[[Anomochilus leonardi|A. leonardi]]'', is classified as being of [[Least Concern]].

==Taxonomy and systematics==
The genus ''Anomochilus''{{Efn|From the [[Ancient Greek]] words meaning "abnormal lip".<ref name="Berg1901" />}} was erected by the Dutch herpetologist [[Theodorus Willem van Lidth de Jeude]] in 1890 as ''Anomalochilus'' for the species ''Anomalochilus weberi'', which he [[Species description|described]] on the basis of a female specimen from Sumatra.<ref name="Lidth1890" /> In 1901, the naturalist [[Carlos Berg|Charles Berg]] renamed the genus to ''Anomochilus'', as the name ''Anomalochilus'' was already [[Homonym (biology)|in use]] for a genus of beetles.<ref name="Berg1901" /> A second species of the genus, ''[[Anomochilus leonardi|A. leonardi]]'', was described by the British herpetologist [[Malcolm Arthur Smith]] in 1940 from two specimens collected in [[Pahang, Malaysia]].<ref name="Smith1940" /> The third species in the genus, ''[[Anomochilus monticola|A. monticola]]'', was described by the Indian herpetologist [[species:Indraneil_Das|Indraneil Das]] and colleagues in 2008, based on specimens collected from [[Mount Kinabalu]] on [[Borneo]].<ref name="Das2008" />

''Anomochilus'' was initially described in the [[Family (biology)|family]] "Tortriciidae",{{Efn|The name [[Tortricidae]] is currently used to refer to a family of moths.<ref name="Hancock2015" />}} which was later [[Synonym (taxonomy)|synonymized]] with the family [[Cylindrophiidae]]. Subsequently, it was moved to [[Aniliidae]], before being placed in [[Uropeltidae]] by the American herpetologist [[Samuel Booker McDowell Jr.]] in 1975.<ref name="McDowell1975" /> In 1993, the American herpetologist [[species:David_Cundall|David Cundall]] and colleagues split the Uropeltidae into three families, reinstating Cylindrophiidae and moving ''Anomochilus'' into its own [[monogeneric]] family, Anomochilidae.<ref name="Cundall1993" /> Subsequent genetic studies have shown that Cylindrophiidae is likely [[paraphyletic]] (not containing all the descendants of a common ancestor) with respect to Anomochilidae,<ref name="Gower2005" /> and a 2022 study recommended placing ''Anomochilus'' back in the former family.<ref name="Li2022" />

''Anomochilus'' contains three species of pipesnake. All three species are known to live on the island of Borneo, which is presumed to be the [[center of diversification]] for the genus.<ref name="Li2022" /> The genus is closely related to the family Cylindrophiidae, which it is sometimes placed in, and these two form a [[clade]] most closely related to the Uropeltidae. The following [[cladogram]] shows [[Phylogenetics|phylogenetic]] relationships of Anomochiliidae with other families, based on the 2022 study:<ref name="Li2022" />

{{clade
|{{clade
   |1={{clade
      |1={{clade
         |1=[[Cylindrophiidae]]
         |2=[[Uropeltidae]] (including '''Anomochilidae''')
         }}
      |2={{clade
         |1={{clade
            |1={{clade
               |1=[[Xenopeltidae]]
               |2= {{clade
                    |1=[[Loxocemidae]]
                    |2=[[Pythonidae]]
                  }}
               }}
            |2={{clade
               |1=[[Xenophidiidae]]
               |2=[[Boidae]]
               }}
            }}
         }}
      }}
   }}
}}

== Description ==

Dwarf pipesnakes are small and cylindrical snakes, with a small, rounded head and short, conical tail.<ref name="Das2010" /> The head is continuous with the neck and, despite the [[fossorial]] nature of the species, the snout has no reinforcements to aid in burrowing.<ref name="OShea2023" /> The uppersides are usually uniform blackish to purplish-brown and the undersides are dark brown or black, the latter frequently being marked by yellow or white blotches. The [[snout]] has yellow markings and the tail is bounded by an orange or red band.<ref name="OShea2023" /><ref name="Das2010" /> 

They can be differentiated from other snakes outside of the genus by their small head and eyes, the large scales on the forehead, a single [[nasal scale]] bordering the second [[supralabial scale]], the absence of the [[Loreal scale|loreal]] and [[preocular scales]], a lone [[postocular scale]], and the lack of a [[mental groove]].<ref name="Das2008" /> Additionally, the dentition of dwarf pipesnakes is unique among snakes: members of the family have no teeth on the [[Pterygoid bone|pterygoid]] and [[palatine bone]]s, and only four diagonally oriented [[maxillary teeth]].<ref name="OShea2023" />

{{hidden begin|title=Morphological characteristics of dwarf pipesnakes|expanded=true|showhide=left|titlestyle=background:rgb(235,235,210); text-align:left;|style=clear:both;|contentstyle=width:100%;}}
<small>Based on Das and colleagues (2008)<ref name="Das2008" /> and Das (2010).<ref name="Das2010" /></small>

<small>Conventions: SVL=[[Snout–vent length]], TL=Total length</small>

{| class="wikitable" style="width=100%" style="text-align: center"
|+

|- style="font-size: 100%" |
! Image !! Scientific and common name !! Length !! Coloration !! Scalation

|- style="font-size: 90%" |
| || ''[[Anomochilus leonardi|A. leonardi]]''<br />(Malayan giant blind snake or Leonard's dwarf pipesnake) || {{Cvt|228|mm|in}}{{nbsp}}(TL) || no pale stripes along sides; large pale spots along the [[vertebral column]]; glossy black to purplish-brown upperside; black belly and red [[subcaudal scales]] || 214–252 [[ventral scale]]s; single, unpaired [[Parietal scales|parietofrontal scale]]

|- style="font-size: 90%" |
| [[File:Anomochilus monticola.jpg |175px]] || ''[[Anomochilus monticola|A. monticola]]''<br />(Kinabalu giant blind snake or Mount Kinabalu dwarf pipesnake) || {{Cvt|507–509|mm|in}}{{nbsp}}(SVL), {{Cvt|521.2|mm|in}}{{nbsp}}(TL) || no pale stripes along sides or spots along the vertebral column; solitary pale yellow scales along sides; glossy blue-black upperside; dark brown belly || 258–261 [[ventral scale]]s; single, unpaired [[Parietal scales|parietofrontal scale]]

|- style="font-size: 90%" |
| [[File:Anomochilus weberi.jpg|175px]] || ''[[Anomochilus weberi|A. weberi]]''<br />(Sumatran giant blind snake or Weber's dwarf pipesnake) || {{Cvt|228|mm|in}}{{nbsp}}(TL) || pale stripes along sides with large pale spots along the vertebral column; black uppersides and belly || 242–248 [[ventral scale]]s; paired [[Parietal scales|parietofrontal scale]]
|}
{{hidden end}}

==Distribution and habitat==
All three species of dwarf pipesnake are [[endemic]] to [[Sundaland]], where they are found on the [[Malay Peninsula]] and the islands of [[Sumatra]] and Borneo.<ref name="Das2008" /> ''A. leonardi'' inhabits the Malay Peninsula and [[Sabah]] in [[Malaysian Borneo]], while ''A. weberi'' is found on Sumatra and [[Kalimantan]] on Borneo. ''A. monticola'' is currently known only from Kinabalu Park in Sabah.<ref name="Das2010" /> Dwarf pipesnakes are fossorial and inhabit [[leaf litter]] in lowland and [[montane rainforest]]s, frequently near creeks.<ref name="OShea2023" /> ''A. leonardi'' inhabits plains and low hill forest at elevations of {{Cvt|220–500|m|ft}}, ''A. monticola'' inhabits montane forest at elevations of {{Cvt|1450–1513|m|ft}}, and ''A. weberi'' inhabits montane forest at elevations of {{Cvt|300–1000|m|ft}}.<ref name="Das2010" /><ref name="iucnstatus-monticola" /><ref name="iucnstatus-weberi" /><ref name="iucnstatus-leonardi" />

== Ecology and behaviour ==
Dwarf pipesnakes are fossorial (adapted to living underground). Their ecology is poorly studied and little is known about their diets and reproductive habits.<ref name="Das2010" /> Their small mouths, truncated [[quadrate bone]]s (the length of which allows other snakes to swallow large prey), and lack of the mental groove (which enables other species to expand their lower jaw) suggests that their diet consists of elongate [[invertebrates]] like earthworms and perhaps also of small, slim vertebrates like snakes and [[legless lizards]].<ref name="OShea2023" /> ''A. weberi'' is known to lay [[Clutch (eggs)|clutches]] of four eggs, but reproduction in the other species is undescribed.<ref name="Das2010" /> Dwarf pipesnakes are the only uropeltoids that lay eggs; all other uropeltoids give birth to [[live young]].<ref name="OShea2023" />

== Status ==
Two species of dwarf pipesnake, ''A. weberi'' and ''monticola'', are classified as being [[Data Deficient]] by the [[IUCN]], while the third species, ''A. leonardi'', is classified as being of [[Least Concern]]. All three species are known from a very small number of specimens and consequently do not have population estimates or well-defined ranges. ''A. monticola'' and ''leonardi'' are known from the protected areas of [[Kinabalu Park]] and [[Taman Negara]], respectively. Little is known about threats facing the genus, although ''A. weberi'' is thought to be threatened by [[habitat loss]] caused by logging and urbanisation.<ref name="iucnstatus-monticola" /><ref name="iucnstatus-weberi" /><ref name="iucnstatus-leonardi" />

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist| refs=
<ref name="Das2008">{{Cite journal |last1=Das |first1=Indraneil |last2=Lakim |first2=Maklarin |last3=Lim |first3=Kelvin K. P. |last4=Hui |first4=Tan Heok |date=2008 |title=New Species of ''Anomochilus'' from Borneo (Squamata: Anomochilidae) |url=https://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/3371/1/Lakim,%20M..pdf |journal=Journal of Herpetology |language=en |volume=42 |issue=3 |pages=584–591 |doi=10.1670/07-154.1 |s2cid=85684485 |issn=0022-1511}}</ref>
<ref name="Das2010">{{Cite book |last=Das |first=Indraneil |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LRRpBwAAQBAJ&dq=Anomochilus+monticola&pg=PA257 |title=Field Guide to the Reptiles of South-East Asia |publisher=[[New Holland Publishers]] |year=2010 |isbn=978-1-4729-2057-7 |location=London |pages=257 |language=en |oclc=455823617}}</ref>
<ref name="OShea2023">{{Cite book |last=O'Shea |first=Mark |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=biaIEAAAQBAJ&dq=Anomochilus+monticola&pg=PA92 |title=Snakes of the World: A Guide to Every Family |publisher=[[Princeton University Press]] |year=2023 |isbn=9780691240671 |location=[[Princeton, Massachusetts|Princeton]] |pages=91–93 |language=en |oclc=1356003917}}</ref>
<ref name="Gower2005">{{Cite journal |last1=Gower |first1=D. J. |last2=Vidal |first2=N. |last3=Spinks |first3=J. N. |last4=McCarthy |first4=C. J. |date=2005 |title=The phylogenetic position of Anomochilidae (Reptilia: Serpentes): first evidence from DNA sequences |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1439-0469.2005.00315.x |journal=Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research |language=en |volume=43 |issue=4 |pages=315–320 |doi=10.1111/j.1439-0469.2005.00315.x |issn=0947-5745|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
<ref name="Li2022">{{Cite journal |last1=Li |first1=Peng |last2=Wiens |first2=John J. |date=2022 |title=What drives diversification? Range expansion tops climate, life history, habitat and size in lizards and snakes |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jbi.14304 |journal=Journal of Biogeography |language=en |volume=49 |issue=2 |pages=237–247 |doi=10.1111/jbi.14304 |bibcode=2022JBiog..49..237L |s2cid=245849898 |issn=0305-0270|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
<ref name="McDowell1975">{{Cite journal |last=McDowell |first=S. B. |date=1975-02-24 |title=A Catalogue of the Snakes of New Guinea and the Solomons, with Special Reference to Those in the Bernice P. Bishop Museum. Part II. Anilioidea and Pythoninae |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/1562691 |journal=Journal of Herpetology |volume=9 |issue=1 |pages=1–79 |doi=10.2307/1562691|jstor=1562691 |url-access=subscription }}</ref>
<ref name="Cundall1993">{{Cite journal |last1=Cundall |first1=David |last2=Wallach |first2=V. |last3=Rossman |first3=Douglas A. |date=1993 |title=The systematic relationships of the snake genus Anomochilus |url=https://academic.oup.com/zoolinnean/article-lookup/doi/10.1111/j.1096-3642.1993.tb02536.x |journal=Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society |language=en |volume=109 |issue=3 |pages=275–299 |doi=10.1111/j.1096-3642.1993.tb02536.x|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
<ref name="Lidth1890">{{Cite book |last1=van Lidth de Jeude |first1=Theodorus Willem |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/184538#page/238/mode/1up |title=Zoologische Ergebnisse einer reise in Niederländisch Ost-Indien |last2=Universiteit van Amsterdam. |date=1890 |publisher=E.J. Brill |editor-last=Weber |editor-first=Max |editor-link=Max Carl Wilhelm Weber |location=Leiden |pages=180–181 |chapter=Reptilia from the Malay Archipelago. II. Ophidia |volume=1 |doi=10.5962/bhl.title.52289 |s2cid=86156252 |author-link=Theodorus Willem van Lidth de Jeude}}</ref>
<ref name="Berg1901">{{Cite journal |last=Berg |first=Charles |author-link=Carlos Berg |date=1901 |title=Herpetological notes |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/42968#page/301/mode/1up |journal=Comunicaciones del Museo Nacional de Buenos Aires |volume=1 |page=289 |oclc=8651583}}</ref>
<ref name="Smith1940">{{Cite journal |last=Smith |first=Malcolm A. |date=1940 |title=XLVII.— A new Snake of the Genus Anomochilus from the, Malay Peninsula |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03745481.1940.9723701 |journal=Annals and Magazine of Natural History |language=en |volume=6 |issue=35 |pages=447–449 |doi=10.1080/03745481.1940.9723701 |issn=0374-5481|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
<ref name="iucnstatus-monticola">{{cite iucn |author=Iskandar, D. |author2=Jenkins, H. |author3=Das, I. |author4=Auliya, M. |author5=Inger, R.F. |author6=Lilley, R. |date=2012 |title=''Anomochilus monticola'' |volume=2012 |page=e.T191983A2023863 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012-1.RLTS.T191983A2023863.en |access-date=2023-06-27}}</ref>
<ref name="iucnstatus-leonardi">{{cite iucn |author=Grismer, L. |date=2012 |title=''Anomochilus leonardi'' |volume=2012 |page=e.T1555A727213 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012-1.RLTS.T1555A727213.en |access-date=2023-06-27}}</ref>
<ref name="iucnstatus-weberi">{{cite iucn|author=Das, I. |authorlink=species:Indraneil Das |title=''Anomochilus weberi'' |volume=2012 |page=e.T192155A2048153 |year=2012 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012-1.RLTS.T192155A2048153.en |access-date=2023-06-27}}</ref>
<ref name="Hancock2015">{{Cite book |last1=Hancock |first1=Edward F. |title=The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland: Tortricinae and Chlidanotinae |last2=Bland |first2=Keith P. |date=2014 |publisher=Brill |isbn=978-90-04-25211-0 |location=[[Leiden]]}}</ref>
}}

{{Snake_families}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q5087342}}

[[Category:Anomochilidae| ]]
[[Category:Snake genera]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Carlos Berg]]
[[Category:Taxa described in 1901]]