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Description of the shedding skin process in Enyalius perditus Jackson (Reptilia, Sauria, Polychrotidae)

A specimen of Enyalius perditus Jackson, 1978 collected in a pitfall trap installed at the Parque Estadual do Ibitipoca, Municipality of Lima Duarte, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, on 19 March 1997, showed a transversal rupture of the skin, on dorsum of posterior region of the head, just joining the ear openings. In captivity, the continuance of the shedding scain spent approxima-tely one hour and forty minutes. The pieces of skin were removed in the sequence: head, venter, arms and flanks, legs, tail, and finally the tip of the fingers. The removed skin was eaten at the end of each stage.

Reptilia; Sauria; Enyalius perditus; shedding skin


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