Trachylepis hoeschi, also known commonly as Hoesch's mabuya and Hoesch's skink, is a species of lizard in the subfamily Mabuyinae of the family Scincidae. The species is native to southwestern Africa.
| Trachylepis hoeschi | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Scincidae |
| Genus: | Trachylepis |
| Species: | T. hoeschi
|
| Binomial name | |
| Trachylepis hoeschi (Mertens, 1954)
| |
| Synonyms[2] | |
Etymology edit
The specific name, hoeschi, is in honor of German zoologist Walter Hoesch (1896–1961), who collected the holotype.[2][3]
Geographic range edit
Habitat edit
The preferred natural habitat of T. hoeschi is arid savanna, where it is found on boulders and rock outcrops,[4] at altitudes of 10–2,200 m (33–7,218 ft).[1]
Description edit
Adults of T. hoeschi usually have a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 5–8 cm (2.0–3.1 in). The maximum recorded SVL is 10 cm (3.9 in). The tail is long, about two times SVL.[4]
Dorsally, T. hoeschi is grayish brown, with transverse bands of dark brown spots. Ventrally, it is white, except for the throat which is yellowish.[4]
Diet edit
T. hoeschi preys upon insects such as beetles, moths, and wasps.[4]
Reproduction edit
The mode of reproduction of T. hoeschi is unknown.[2]
References edit
- ^ a b Baptista N, Bauer AM, Becker F, Ceríaco LMP, Conradie W (2020). "Trachylepis hoeschi ". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T120689402A120906543.en. Accessed on 18 March 2024.
- ^ a b c d Trachylepis hoeschi at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 22 March 2015.
- ^ 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. (Mabuya hoeschi, p. 124).
- ^ a b c d 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. (Mabuya hoeschi, p. 153 + Plate 52).
Further reading edit
- Bauer AM (2003). "On the identity of Lacerta punctata Linnaeus 1758, the type species of the genus Euprepis Fitzinger 1830, and the generic assignment of Afro-Malagasy skinks". African Journal of Herpetology 52: 1–7. (Trachylepis hoeschi, new combination).
- Lobón-Rovira, Javier; Vaz Pinto, Pedro; Becker, François S.; Tolley, Krystal A.; Measy, John; Bennet, Bruce; de Sá, Sango; Conradie, W. (2022). "An updated herpetofaunal species inventory of Iona National Park in southwestern Angola". Check List 18 (2): 289–321.
- Mertens R (1954). "Neue Eidechsen aus Südwest-Afrika". Senckenbergiana 34: 175–183. (Mabuya hoeschi, new species, p. 178). (in German).
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