A new study has cleared up a century’s worth of identity confusion surrounding a secretive, legless lizard found in Taiwan’s forests. Researchers from National Taiwan Normal University confirmed the Formosan legless lizard (Dopasia formosensis) is a distinct species endemic to the island, separate from the more widespread Hart’s glass lizard (D. harti), under which it was previously clubbed. Legless lizards, often mistaken for snakes, possess several distinct features. The lizards have movable eyelids that allow them to blink, small external ear openings, and a longitudinal lateral fold that allows their skin to expand for breathing or carrying eggs. For nearly a century, scientists have debated whether Taiwan is home to one or two species of Dopasia legless lizards. Japanese zoologist Kyukichi Kishida first described Ophisaurus formosensis as a distinct species of legless lizard, endemic to Taiwan, in 1930 (the lizards were subsequently placed under the genus Dopasia). He noted that O. formosensis and O. harti, co-occurred in Taiwan but had slight differences in coloration: O. harti had blue spots while O. formosensis didn’t. However, in 2003, researchers concluded the two were a single species, and that the color differences were between females and young lizards, and males. The debate continued, the confusion stemming from the loss of the original specimen that Kishida had referred to after World War II. Legless lizards are notoriously difficult to find in their natural habitat since they stay hidden under leaf litter and humus. Dopasia is also protected in Taiwan. So, for the new study,…This article was originally published on Mongabay

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