Ichnotropis grandiceps

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Ichnotropis grandiceps
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Lacertidae
Genus: Ichnotropis
Species:
I. grandiceps
Binomial name
Ichnotropis grandiceps
Broadley, 1967

Ichnotropis grandiceps is a species of African lizards in the family Lacertidae. They are commonly called Caprivi rough-scaled lizards as they are largely found in southwestern Africa on the border of the Caprivi Strip. The cape rough-scaled lizards are terrestrial and found in the range of open woodland and mesic savanna. The caprivi rough-scaled lizards are medium in size and distributed in parts of Namibia and Botswana. [2] This species is on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List for endangered species as they are rare and has not been seen or collected since 1998. [1] Data about the population or specimens collected are needed for the IUCN to obtain more information about the unknown threats that may be impacting them. [1]

Contents

Description

I. grandiceps are medium-sized lizards with slender bodies, long tails, and well developed legs. They are very similar to the type species Ichnotropis capensis , except I. grandiceps have larger heads. [3] These lizards are no more than 70 mm in snout to vent length (SVL).

Identification of Ichnotropis includes the following: [3]

The coloration of the adults consist of a uniform grey and yellowish brown backs with few scattered dark spots. [3] A dark dorsolateral stripe that may be absent or faint, which runs from the head to the groin and breaks up into a line of lateral spots. [3] The sides of the head and the belly are white. [3] The juveniles have pale grey and brown backs with lateral stripes. [3]

Habitat

I. grandiceps can be found in open woodland, lime soil, or white sandy areas in Southwestern Africa. [3] There are records that report this species in Namibia, and Botswana. These lizards seek shelter in soft soiled burrows, under rocks and brush.

Biology

These lizards are insectivorous and feed on termites and other small insects. [3] They are active hunters during the day. This species is rare and have not been collected in some time.

Taxonomy and evolution

Based on morphological evidence the South African genus Ichnotropis and the North American genus Psammodromus diverged from a common ancestor from the lineage of Lacerta lepida and Lacerta monticola during the Oligocene epoch (24 to 36 million years ago). [4]

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<i>Gastropholis</i> Genus of lizards

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<i>Holaspis</i> Genus of lizards

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<i>Meroles</i> Genus of lizards

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<i>Pseuderemias</i> Genus of lizards

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Indian fringe-fingered lizard Species of lizard

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<i>Ophisops jerdonii</i> Species of lizard

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Common rough-scaled lizard Species of lizard

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Ichnotropis microlepidota is a species of African lizard in the family Lacertidae. It is commonly called Marx's rough-scaled lizard and is largely found in Angola, Africa. I. microlepidota is a terrestrial lizard and was first discovered at the foot of Mount Moco.

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The dwarf three-toed slider or wood mulch-slider is a species of skink found in Australia. Other common names for the species include timid slider and dwarf burrowing skink. The skink is a member of the Lerista genus which are confined to continental Australia and are mostly a burrowing species of skink. The genus consists of consists elongated, smooth-scaled, Fossorial lizards that are specialized for life in the upper soils and dry leaf litter through which they slide using Lateral undulation as a form of locomotive action, giving rise to their nickname as sliders. They normally emerge of a night-time to hunt for small Invertebrates such as ants, termites and insects. If disturbed, they dive immediately into any loose substrate to avoid predation, this behavior leaves behind a distinctive disrupted wavy track that often found on sandy flats or dunes, roads and tracks.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Becker, F.; Bauer, A.M. (2020). "Ichnotropis grandiceps". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020: e.T178632A120635029. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T178632A120635029.en . Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. Ichnotropis grandiceps at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 20 August 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Branch, William (1998). Field guide to snakes and other reptiles of Southern Africa (3rd ed.). Cape Town, Africa: Stuik Publishers. pp. 160–162. ISBN   1868720403.
  4. Busack, Stephan & Maxson, Linda. (1986). "Molecular relationships among Iberian, Moroccan, and South African lacertid lizards (Reptilia: Lacertidae)". Amphibia-Reptilia8. pp. 383-392.