Blanus mariae

Maria's Worm Lizard (Blanus mariae) is an amphisbaenian species in the family Blanidae. The species is endemic to the Iberian Peninsula. Blanus mariae is found in southern Spain, southern Portugal, and Gibraltar. Blanus mariae forms a cryptic species complex with Blanus cinereus. The specific name, mariae, is in honour of Maria del Rosario Aguilar Tortajada (1914–2002), the grandmother of Eva María Albert, one of the scientists who described this species. Blanus mariae has an average snout–vent length of 175 mm (6.9 in). The body colour is pale pink to dark brilliant purple, with a reticulate pattern caused by the inter-segmental sutures. Albert, Eva M.; Fernández, Adrián (2009). 'Evidence of cryptic speciation in a fossorial reptile: description of a new species of Blanus (Squamata: Amphisbaenia: Blanidae) from the Iberian Peninsula'. Zootaxa 2234: 56-68. (Blanus mariae, new species).