First Quaternary fossil record of a blind snake (Scolecophidia, Serpentes) from South America (Argentina)

Abstract

We report and describe the first fossil of a blind snake (Scolecophidia, Serpentes) for Argentina. The fossil is a complete and isolated vertebra assigned to Epictia sp. (Leptotyphlopidae). Modern members of Leptotyphlopidae are common in South America, especially in Argentina. The fossil was recovered from the basal layer of an Early Holocene fluvial unit in Entre Ríos province, northeastern Argentina. In addition to its important contribution to the fossil record of South America, this scolecophidian specimen also represents one of the few fossils documented from the Southern Hemisphere. Furthermore, this study represents the first contribution to the knowledge of scolecophidian trunk vertebral morphology in Argentinian species.