Ichnotropis microlepidota

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Ichnotropis microlepidota
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Lacertidae
Genus: Ichnotropis
Species:
I. microlepidota
Binomial name
Ichnotropis microlepidota
Marx, 1956 [2]

Ichnotropis microlepidota is a species of African lizard in the family Lacertidae. It is commonly called Marx's rough-scaled lizard and is endemic to Angola. [1] [3] I. microlepidota is a terrestrial lizard and was first discovered at the foot of Mount Moco. [1] [3]

Contents

Description

I. microlepidota is a medium-sized lizard with a slender body, long tail, and well developed legs. [4] Most of the specimens found are less than 52 mm (2.0 in) long in snout–to-vent length (SVL) and share the common characteristics of the genus Ichnotropis : [4]

I. microlepidota is similar to Ichnotropis bivittata except I. microlepidota has a wider body. [2]

Biology

I. microlepidota is insectivorous and feeds on termites and other small insects. [4] It is an active hunter during the day.

Taxonomy and evolution

Based on morphological evidence, the South African genus Ichnotropis and the North American genus Psammodromus diverged from the lineage of Lacerta lepida and Lacerta monticola during the Oligocene epoch (24 to 36 million years ago). [5]

Predators

I. microlepidota has been recorded as prey of Melierax metabates , the chanting goshawk, a bird of prey indigenous to Africa. [2]

Related Research Articles

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The Lacertidae are the family of the wall lizards, true lizards, or sometimes simply lacertas, which are native to Afro-Eurasia. It is a diverse family with at about 360 species in 39 genera. They represent the dominant group of reptiles found in Europe.

<i>Acanthodactylus</i> Genus of lizards

Acanthodactylus is a genus of lacertid lizards, commonly referred to as fringe-fingered lizards, fringe-toed lizards, and spiny-toed lizards.

<i>Gastropholis</i> Genus of lizards

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<i>Holaspis</i> Genus of lizards

Holaspis is a genus of equatorial African lizards in the family Lacertidae. These lizards are capable of gliding flight for distances of 30 meters.

<i>Ichnotropis</i> Genus of lizards

Ichnotropis is a genus of African lizards in the family Lacertidae. Species in the genus Ichnotropis are commonly called rough-scaled lizards.

<i>Latastia</i> Genus of lizards

Latastia is a genus of lizards of the family Lacertidae. Species of this genus are distributed in Africa but one subspecies lives in Yemen. Collectively, they are known as long-tailed lizards.

<i>Ophisops</i> Genus of lizards

Ophisops is a genus of wall lizards of the family Lacertidae. They are small lacertids characterized by transparent lower eyelids that are completely or partially fused with the upper lids to form a cap over the eye. Species of the genus Ophisops are distributed in southeast Europe, northeast Africa, to west Asia.

<i>Philochortus</i> Genus of lizards

Philochortus is a genus of lizards of the family Lacertidae. Species of this genus are distributed in Egypt, Algeria, Libya, Mali, Niger, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Eritrea, Somalia, Kenya, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia.

<i>Pseuderemias</i> Genus of lizards

Pseuderemias is a genus of lizards of the family Lacertidae. Common names for the genus are false sand lizards or racerunners.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indian fringe-fingered lizard</span> Species of lizard

The Indian fringe-fingered lizard, also known commonly as the Indian fringe-toed lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is endemic to Asia.

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

Ophisops jerdonii, commonly known as Jerdon's cabrita, Jerdon's snake-eye, or Punjab snake-eyed lacerta, is a species of lacertid lizard, which is distributed in east Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bosc's fringe-toed lizard</span> Species of lizard

Bosc's fringe-toed lizard or Bosk's [sic] fringe-fingered lizard is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is endemic to North Africa and Western Asia. Three subspecies are sometimes recognised; A. boskianus boskianus, from Lower Egypt; A. boskianus euphraticus from Iraq; and A. boskianus asper from the rest of the range; however this division is unsatisfactory because each subspecies has much variation and the differences between them are not consistent.

<i>Ichnotropis capensis</i> Species of lizard

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Common rough-scaled lizard</span> Species of lizard

Meroles squamulosa is a species of African lizard originally placed in the genus Ichnotropis, however phylogenetic evidence moves this species to the genus Meroles. The species is commonly called the common rough-scaled lizard or savanna lizard. It is largely found in southern Africa. These lizards are terrestrial and found in the range of mesic savannah. The common rough-scaled lizard is medium in size and well distributed in parts of Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Angola, Tanzania, and Zambia.

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. 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. 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.

<i>Congolacerta</i> Genus of lizards

Congolacerta is a genus of equatorial African lacertids of the family Lacertidae. Species of this genus are distributed in western East Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Duméril's fringe-fingered lizard</span> Species of lizard

Duméril's fringe-fingered lizard is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. A. dumerilii is in the A. scutellatus species group. A. dumerilii is native to the western and central Sahara.

<i>Holaspis guentheri</i> Species of lizard

Holaspis guentheri, also commonly known as the neon blue-tailed tree lizard, the sawtail lizard, and the western neon blue-tailed tree lizard is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is native to portions of West Africa and Central Africa.

Pedioplanis undata, known commonly as the plain sand lizard or the western sand lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is endemic to Southern Africa.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Ceríaco, L.M.P.; Baptista, N.; Conradie, W. (2020). "Ichnotropis microlepidota". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020: e.T44929734A44929746. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T44929734A44929746.en . Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 Marx H (1956). "A new lacertid lizard from Angola". Fieldiana: Zoology39: 5–9. (Ichnotropis microlepidota, new species).
  3. 1 2 Ichnotropis microlepidota at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 19 June 2024.
  4. 1 2 3 Branch, Bill (1998). Field Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of Southern Africa. Third Revised edition. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik Publishers. ISBN   978-1868720408. (Genus Ichnotropis, pp. 160–162).
  5. Busack, Stephen; Maxson, Linda (1986). "Molecular relationships among Iberian, Moroccan, and South African lacertid lizards (Reptilia: Lacertidae)". Amphibia-Reptilia8: 383-392.