Blind snakes beneath the surface: Continuing the legacy of Richard Thomas

Abstract

Blind snakes (Scolecophidia) are small-bodied, enigmatic burrowing reptiles with members found on all continents except Antarctica. This Special Issue on blind snakes honors and advances the foundational studies by a remarkable anatomist, Richard Thomas. Richard is currently one of the living herpetologists to have described the greatest number of herpetofauna species, including many blind snake taxa. Recent interest in scolecophidian research at several conferences led to the development of this Special Issue on blind snake anatomy. This issue spans a diversity of papers, from biographical accounts of Richard's life and works, to a brief history of scolecophidian anatomical studies and the benefits of computed tomography (CT) technology, to a variety of studies on the skull and post-cranial osteology, cranial and jaw biomechanics related to subterranean lifestyles, evolution, and systematics of blind snake taxa from around the globe. This Special Issue will hopefully serve as a valuable resource and contribution to the field of blind snake anatomy research, and a joyful reflection on the life and career of a herpetologist who mentored and inspired a new generation of researchers in this area.