The Soutpansberg rock lizard (Vhembelacerta rupicola) is a small (40–50 mm) flattened species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. It has been described as a diurnal, rock-dwelling species inhabiting scree and rocky outcrops at altitudes from 900 to 1600 m.[3] It is endemic to the Limpopo Province in the north of South Africa.[1][2]
| Soutpansberg rock lizard | |
|---|---|
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| in Medike, Soutpansberg | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Lacertidae |
| Genus: | Vhembelacerta Edwards, Herrel, Vanhooydonck, Measey, Tolley, & Branch, 2013 |
| Species: | V. rupicola
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| Binomial name | |
| Vhembelacerta rupicola (FitzSimons, 1933)
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| Synonyms | |
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It is an active forager on the southern slopes of the Soutpansberg hills.
Etymology edit
The species name “rupicola” means rock-inhabiting as this lizard is quite strictly saxicolous when compared to other species in the area like Trachylepis varia.
The first part of the genus name "Vhembe-" refers to the Vhembe region of Limpopo Province where the species is endemic. The second part of the name, "lacerta", refers to the Latin name for lizard, it also retains the historical link to the genus Lacerta to which the species was originally described.[2]
References edit
- ^ a b Tolley, K.A.; Turner, A.A. (2018). "Vhembelacerta rupicola". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T41227A115654111. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T41227A115654111.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
- ^ a b c "Vhembelacerta rupicola (FITZSIMONS, 1933)". Retrieved 15 November 2014.
- ^ Kirchhof, S.; Linden, J.; Rodder, D.; Richter, K. (2010). "Daily activity patterns of Australolacerta rupicola (FitzSimons, 1933) (Sauria: Lacertidae) with comments on niche segregation within a syntopic lizard community". North-Western Journal of Zoology. 6: 172–181.
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