Pachydactylus scherzi is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is native to Southern Africa.

Pachydactylus scherzi
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Gekkonidae
Genus: Pachydactylus
Species:
P. scherzi
Binomial name
Pachydactylus scherzi
Mertens, 1954
Synonyms[2]

Etymology

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The specific name, scherzi, is in honor of German chemical engineer Ernst Rudolph Scherz (1906–1981).[3]

Geographic range

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P. scherzi is found in Angola and Namibia.[2]

Habitat

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The preferred natural habitat of P. scherzi is rocky outcrops in desert or savanna.[4]

Description

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Adults of P. scherzi, have a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 2.5–3.5 centimetres (0.98–1.38 in). Dorsally, P. scherzi is brown, with whitish crossbands that are edged with dark brown and often broken in the middle. Ventrally it is cream-colored.[4]

Reproduction

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P. scherzi is oviparous.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Bauer, A.M., Becker, F., Conradie, W. & Ceríaco, L.M.P. 2020. Pachydactylus scherzi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T110214635A110214655. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T110214635A110214655.en. Downloaded on 29 August 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Pachydactylus scherzi at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database
  3. ^ 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. (Pachydactylus scherzi, p. 235).
  4. ^ a b 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. (Pachydactylus scherzi, p. 259 + Plate 111).

Further reading

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  • Bauer AM, Branch WR (1995). "Geographic variation in western populations of the Pachydactylus punctatus complex (Reptilia Gekkonidae)". Tropical Zoology 8 (1): 69-84. (Pachydactylus scherzi, new status).
  • Gates BC (2004). "Field Observations of the Thick-toed Gecko Pachydactylus scherzi Mertens, 1954 Near Namibia's Skeleton Coast". Gekko 4 (1): 18-22.
  • Gates BC (2006). "Observations of the Thick-toed Gecko Pachydactylus scherzi Mertens, 1954 Near the Brandberg, Namibia". Gekko 5 (1): 2-4.
  • Herrmann H-W, Branch WR (2013). "Fifty years of herpetological research in the Namib Desert and Namibia with an updated and annotated species checklist". Journal of Arid Environments 93: 94-115.
  • Mertens R (1954). "Neue Eidechsen aus Südwest-Afrika ". Senckenbergiana 34: 175-183. (Pachydactylus punctatus scherzi, new subspecies). (in German).
  • Rösler H (2000). "Kommentierte Liste der rezent, subrezent und fossil bekannten Geckotaxa (Reptilia: Gekkonomorpha)". Gekkota 2: 28-153. (Pachydactylus scherzi, p. 99). (in German).