Tropidosaura essexi, also known commonly as Essex's mountain lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is native to southern Africa.
| Tropidosaura essexi | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Lacertidae |
| Genus: | Tropidosaura |
| Species: | T. essexi
|
| Binomial name | |
| Tropidosaura essexi Hewitt, 1927
| |
Etymology
editThe specific name, essexi, is in honor of South African herpetologist Robert Essex.[2]
Geographic range
editT. essexi is found in Lesotho and South Africa.[3]
Habitat
editThe preferred natural habitat of T. essexi is grassland, at altitudes of 2,400–3,400 m (7,900–11,200 ft).[1]
Description
editT. essexi is small for its genus. Adults have a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of only 4–5 cm (1.6–2.0 in).[4]
Behavior
editT. essexi is diurnal and terrestrial.[1]
Reproduction
editT. essexi is viviparous, and is the only African lacertid known to be viviparous.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b c Tolley, K.A.; Bates, M.F.; Cunningham, M.J.; Turner, A.A. (2018). "Tropidosaura essexi ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T197007A115665289. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T197007A115665289.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
- ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Tropidosaura essexi, p. 85).
- ^ a b Tropidosaura essexi at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 22 May 2019.
- ^ Branch, Bill (2004). Field Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of Southern Africa. Third Revised edition, Second impression. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 399 pp. ISBN 0-88359-042-5. (Tropidosaura essexi, p. 175 Plate 103).
Further reading
edit- FitzSimons VF (1943). The Lizards of South Africa. Transvaal Museum Memoir No. 1. Pretoria: Transvaal Museum. xvi 528 pp. (Tropidosaura essexi, p. 309).
- Hewitt J (1927). "Further descriptions of reptiles and batrachians from South Africa". Records of the Albany Museum, Grahamstown 3 (5): 371–415. (Tropidosaura essexi, new species, p. 378).
- Nicolau GK, Jackson EA, Jordaan A, Alexander GJ (2022). "Tropidosaura essexi Hewitt, 1927 (Reptilia: Lacertidae) is live bearing: the only viviparous African lacertid". African Journal of Herpetology 71 (2): 194–200.
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