Distribuição e análise morfológica do gênero Leposternon Wagler, 1824 no Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil (Reptilia, Amphisbaenia)

Abstract

The data about occurrence and distribution of Leposternon species already recorded to Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, were reviewed and extended. Leposternon infraorbitale and L. wuchereri stand with only one record each, and L. microcephalum, present in most of the state range, was not recorded to the strip from Niterói to Barra de São João, occupied by L. scutigerum. A morphological analysis was made on 132 specimens of these last two species, aiming to give a functional interpretation for different characters, compared also with other species of Leposternon and other génera of Amphisbaenia, specially in relation to locomotion; some corporeal areas were identified as being subjected to distinct functional stress. Methodological standards for treatment of some taxonomic items and nomenclatural changes for some cephalic scales were suggested.