Meroles knoxii

Last updated

Meroles knoxii
Meroles knoxii.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Lacertidae
Genus: Meroles
Species:
M. knoxii
Binomial name
Meroles knoxii
Synonyms [2]
  • Eremias knoxii
    (Milne-Edwards, 1829)
  • Lacerta knoxii
    Milne-Edwards, 1829
  • Scapteira knoxii
    (Milne-Edwards, 1829)
  • Scaptira knoxii
    (Milne-Edwards, 1829)
  • Scaptira knoxii pequensis
    Hewitt, 1935

Meroles knoxii, also known commonly as Knox's desert lizard and Knox's ocellated sand lizard, is a species of sand-dwelling lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is native to southern Africa.

Contents

Etymology

The specific name, knoxii, is in honor of Scottish anatomist Robert Knox. [3]

Description

Adults of M. knoxii usually have a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 5.5–6.5 cm (2.2–2.6 in). The ear openings are visible. The toes are slightly fringed. Dorsally, the body is brownish, with a striped and spotted pattern. Ventrally, it is bluish gray to cream-colored, except during breeding season when males have a bright yellow chin, throat, and anal region. [4]

Geographic range

M. knoxii occurs in Namibia and South Africa. [2]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of M. knoxii is shrubland. [1]

Behavior

M. knoxii is terrestrial, [1] diurnal, and active, dashing across sandy soil from shrub to shrub. [4]

Diet

M. knoxii preys upon beetles, flies, and other insects. [4]

Reproduction

M. knoxii is oviparous. [2]

Related Research Articles

<i>Meroles</i> Genus of lizards

Meroles is a genus of lizards, commonly known as desert lizards, in the family Lacertidae. The genus contains eight species, inhabiting southwestern Africa, especially the Namib Desert.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Berg adder</span> Species of snake

The berg adder is a viper species endemic to mountainous regions in southern Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Banded martin</span> Species of bird

The banded martin or banded sand martin is a small passerine bird in the swallow family Hirundinidae that is endemic to Africa. It is the only species placed in the genus Neophedina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sekukhune flat lizard</span> Species of lizard

The Sekukhune flat lizard is a species of lizard in the family Cordylidae. The species is endemic to South Africa. It has two subspecies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Warren's girdled lizard</span> Species of lizard

Warren's girdled lizard is a species of relatively large, flattened lizard in the family Cordylidae. The species is native to Southern Africa.

<i>Pachydactylus vansoni</i> Species of lizard

Pachydactylus vansoni, commonly known as Van Son's gecko or Van Son's thick-toed gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to Southern Africa.

<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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Van Dam's girdled lizard</span> Species of lizard

Van Dam's girdled lizard is a species of lizard in the family Cordylidae. The species is endemic to South Africa.

Mesalina olivieri, also known commonly as Olivier's sand lizard, is a species of sand-dwelling lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is endemic to North Africa and the Middle East.

Mesalina pasteuri, also known commonly as Pasteur's lizard, is a species of sand-dwelling lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is endemic to North Africa.

<i>Nucras lalandii</i> Species of lizard

Nucras lalandii, also known commonly as Delalande's sandveld lizard, Delalande's spotted lizard, and Laland's lizard, is a species of wall lizard in the family of true lizards (Lacertidae). The species is native to Southern Africa.

<i>Pedioplanis burchelli</i> Species of lizard

Pedioplanis burchelli, known commonly as Burchell's sand lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is native to Southern Africa.

<i>Pedioplanis lineoocellata</i> Species of lizard

Pedioplanis lineoocellata, known commonly as the common sand lizard, the ocellated sand lizard, and the spotted sand lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is endemic to Southern Africa. There are three recognized subspecies.

<i>Pedioplanis namaquensis</i> Species of lizard

Pedioplanis namaquensis, known commonly as the Namaqua sand lizard or l'Érémias namaquois, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is endemic to Southern Africa.

Pedioplanis rubens, called commonly the Waterberg sand lizard, reddish sand lizard, and (misleadingly) Ruben's sand lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is endemic to Namibia.

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.

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 montana, also known commonly as the common mountain lizard and the green-striped mountain lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is endemic to South Africa. There are three recognized subspecies.

<i>Smaug breyeri</i> Species of lizard

Smaug breyeri, also known commonly as the Waterberg dragon lizard or the Waterberg girdled lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Cordylidae. The species is endemic to South Africa.

<i>Namazonurus peersi</i> Species of lizard

Namazonurus peersi is a species of small, spiny lizard in the family Cordylidae. The species is endemic to South Africa.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Tolley, K.A.; Turner, A.A. (2018). "Meroles knoxii ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2018: e.T196984A115664614. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T196984A115664614.en . Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Meroles knoxii at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database . Accessed 5 May 2019.
  3. 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. (Meroles knoxii, p. 143).
  4. 1 2 3 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. (Meroles knoxii, p. 166 + Plate 57).

Further reading