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Tropidosaura essexi

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Species of lizard

Tropidosaura essexi
Conservation status

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
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

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.

Etymology

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

Geographic range

T. essexi is found in Lesotho and South Africa.

Habitat

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

Description

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).

Behavior

T. essexi is diurnal and terrestrial.

Reproduction

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

References

  1. ^ 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. ^ 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

  • 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.


Taxon identifiers
Tropidosaura essexi


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