Vanderyst worm lizard

The Vanderyst worm lizard (Monopeltis vanderysti), also known commonly as Vanderyst's worm lizard, is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is native to Central Africa. There are two recognized subspecies.

Etymology
The specific name, vanderysti, is in honor of Father Hyacinth Julien Robert Vanderyst (1860–1934), who was a missionary and naturalist in the Belgian Congo.

Geographic range
M. vanderysti is found in Angola, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Habitat
The preferred natural habitat of M. vanderysti is savanna, but it has also been found in agricultural plantations.

Behavior
M. vanderysti is terrestrial and fossorial.

Subspecies
Two subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.
 * Monopeltis vanderysti lujae de Witte, 1922
 * Monopeltis vanderysti vanderysti de Witte, 1922

Reproduction
The mode of reproduction of M. vanderysti is unknown.