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 Edit this 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

edit

The specific name, essexi, is in honor of South African herpetologist Robert Essex.[2]

Geographic range

edit

T. essexi is found in Lesotho and South Africa.[3]

Habitat

edit

The preferred natural habitat of T. essexi is grassland, at altitudes of 2,400–3,400 m (7,900–11,200 ft).[1]

Description

edit

T. 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

edit

T. essexi is diurnal and terrestrial.[1]

Reproduction

edit

T. essexi is viviparous, and is the only African lacertid known to be viviparous.[3]

References

edit
  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ 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).
  3. ^ a b Tropidosaura essexi at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 22 May 2019.
  4. ^ 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.