| Latastia johnstonii | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
 Least Concern (IUCN 3.1) | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Lacertidae |
| Genus: | Latastia |
| Species: | L. johnstonii |
| Binomial name | |
| Latastia johnstonii Boulenger, 1907 | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Latastia johnstonii, also known commonly as Johnston's long-tailed lizard, the Malawi long-tailed lizard, and the Nyasaland long-tailed lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is native to East Africa.
Etymology
The specific name, johnstonii, is in honor of British explorer Harry Johnston.
Geographic range
L. johnstonii is found in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Habitat
The preferred natural habitats of L. johnstonii are grassland and savanna, at altitudes of 330–1,000 m (1,080–3,280 ft).
Description
L. johnstonii has keeled dorsal scales, which are arranged in 39–52 rows at midbody. The tail of juveniles is red, the color fading at adulthood. Adults have a total length (including tail) of 15–20 cm (5.9–7.9 in). The tail length is 65–75% of the total length.
Behavior
L. johnstonii is terrestrial, diurnal, and fast-moving.
Diet
L. johnstonii preys upon invertebrates.
Reproduction
L. johnstonii is oviparous. Clutch size is three or four eggs, and each egg measures 12 mm × 7 mm (0.47 in × 0.28 in).
References
- ^ Wagner P, Branch WR, Safari I, Chenga J (2021). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T21265939A21265943.en. Accessed on 08 July 2024.
- ^ Latastia johnstonii at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 4 May 2019. www.reptile-database.org.
- Beolens B, Watkins M, Grayson M (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Latastia johnstonii, p. 135).
- ^ Spawls S, Howell K, Hinkel H, Menegon M (2018). Field Guide to East African Reptiles, Second Edition. London: Bloomsbury Wildlife. 624 pp. ISBN 978-1-3994-0481-5. ("Latastia johnstoni ", pp. 195–196).
Further reading
- Boulenger GA (1907). "Descriptions of Two new African Lizards of the Genus Latastia". Annals and Magazine of Natural History, Seventh Series 19: 392–394. ("Latastia Johnstoni ", new species, pp. 392–393).
- Broadley DG, Howell KM (1991). "A check list of the reptiles of Tanzania, with synoptic keys". Syntarsus 1: 1–70. (Latastia johnstonii, p. 18).
- Loveridge A (1957). "Check List of the Reptiles and Amphibians of East Africa (Uganda; Kenya; Tanganyika; Zanzibar)". Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard College 117 (2): 151–362. ("Latastia johnstoni ", pp. 231–232).
| Taxon identifiers | |
|---|---|
| Latastia johnstonii | |
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