The Pungwe flat lizard (Platysaurus pungweensis) is a species of lizard in the Cordylidae family.
| Pungwe flat lizard | |
|---|---|
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| Individual at the Frankfurt Zoo | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Cordylidae |
| Genus: | Platysaurus |
| Species: | P. pungweensis
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| Binomial name | |
| Platysaurus pungweensis Broadley, 1959
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Description edit
Females and juveniles of the Pungwe flat lizard are black and striped on their backs. Males vary by subspecies. The species resembles the common flat lizard, Platysaurus intermedius.
Geography edit
Pungwe flat lizards live in eastern Zimbabwe and adjacent Mozambique.[1][2] The type was obtained at the Pungwe River at 730 m (2,400 ft) above sea level, near the eastern border of Rhodesia (current Zimbabwe).[2]
Habitat and ecology edit
Pungwe flat lizards inhabit low rock outcrops and large hills in mesic savanna.[1] They eat ants and beetles.
Subspecies edit
Two subspecies are accepted:[1][2]
- P. p. pungweensis – Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe and adjacent Mozambique
- P. p. blakei Broadley, 1964 – outcrops and inselbergs in the lowlands of southern Manica Platform, central Mozambique. Type locality 24 kilometres (15 miles) southeast of Vila de Manica.[3]
References edit
- ^ a b c d Tolley, K.A.; Alexander, G.J. (2021). "Platysaurus pungweensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T177573A120633574. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T177573A120633574.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
- ^ a b c Platysaurus pungweensis at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 23 March 2021.
- ^ Adolphs, Klaus (29 July 2015). "Platysaurus Smith, 1844". www.squamata.de. Archived from the original on 5 April 2019. Retrieved 24 December 2018.