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A note on evaporative water loss rates in the checkerboard worm lizard (Trogonophis wiegmanni Kaup 1830) from semi-arid environment in Morocco

Nicolas Denize-Proust,Jean-François Le Galliard,Abdellah Bouazza

Published 2025 in Amphibia-Reptilia

ABSTRACT

Fossorial squamates possess unique morphological and physiological adaptations to subterranean life, but little is known about their evaporative water loss rates. In this study, we report measurements of total evaporative water loss (TEWL) and cutaneous evaporative water loss (CEWL) in Trogonophis wiegmanni elegans from a semi-arid region of Morocco. Our results show that T. wiegmanni has one of the lowest TEWL values recorded among amphisbaenians, suggesting a strong restriction of water loss in arid environments. In contrast, CEWL measurements reveal intermediate values, similar to those of some lizard families but higher than those of snakes. These results indicate that T. wiegmanni retains lizard-like skin characteristics while exhibiting low TEWL. This may reflect either a specific adaptation to the water constraints of semi-arid environments or a general feature of the fossorial lifestyle. Our findings highlight the need for further comparative studies to better understand the physiological adaptations of fossorial reptiles and their ability to regulate water loss under different climatic conditions and lifestyles.

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