Abstract
A new species of Bachia is described from two localities in the states of Mato Grosso and Rondonia, in Midwestern Brazil. The new species mostly resembles Bachia bresslaui in pholidosis and biometry, differing from this and from all other taxa from bresslaui group by the presence of two clawed digits in the forefeet. Among the 26 genera presently included in the family Gymnophthalmidae (Pellegrino et al. 2001), the genus Bachia comprises 21 species (Rodrigues et al. 2008) of snake-like lizards with reduced eyes and appendages, lacking external ears, and presenting semi- and/or fossorial habits (Dixon 1973). Reduction in the number or even the loss of digits, as well as of other skeletal elements and head scales, together with reduction of eyes, of external ear openings, and reduction or elongation of internal organs, are usually considered adaptations to a fossorial lifestyle (Dixon 1973; see also Galis et al. 2009 and references therein). Some of these traits may also be associated to the use of microhabitats of dense vegetation (Lande 1978; Gans 1985, 1986; Shine 1986; Pinto & Avila-Pires 2004).
NSTL