| Philochortus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Lacertidae |
| Subfamily: | Lacertinae |
| Genus: | Philochortus Matschie, 1893. |
| Species | |
See text. | |
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. [1]
Philochortus means grass-loving (Greek: philos = friend, chortos = grass). [2] The common name of Philochortus species is therefore grass-loving lizards, or shield-backed ground lizards because of their typical back scalation and terrestrial habitat.
Species of Philochortus are medium to large-sized lacertids with long cylindrical tails. The unregenerated tail is up to 3.25 times longer than head and body. Eyes with movable lids. The nostril is pierced between two shields and usually bordered by the first supralabial or narrowly separated from it. The collar is well marked. The ventral plates are smooth, feebly imbricate and arranged in 6 longitudinal series. The dorsal scales are smooth or keeled. Back with 2 to 6 longitudinal series of enlarged plate-like scales along the dorsal mid-line. This is the main difference to Latastia . Femoral pores are present on the inside of the thighs, more prominent in males. Tail base in males much broader than in females. [3]
The natural history of all species of Philochortus is only poorly known. Many of the species inhabit semiarid, arid or hyperarid regions, mountainous areas as well as plains from sea level up to 1,500 m (4,900 ft) altitude (P. neumanni). Most species prefer sparsely vegetated, open and sandy or fairly rocky localities (P. neumanni) and can be found in Acacia - Commiphora deciduous bushland and semidesert bushland vegetation types. But P. zolii and P. neumanni can be found also in marginal unattended cultivated areas with Desmostachya bipinnata grass and other scrub and well vegetated natural habitats. [4] [5] [6]
The species of Philochortus are diurnal, sun-loving active predators on insects and other arthropods, egg-laying and terrestrial but P. zolii is an avid climber. The long stiff tail is aiding in balance on vegetation. They dig burrows in the soil below clumps of grasses or small bushes. [6]
The following seven species are recognized as being valid. [1]
Nota bene : A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Philochortus.
Holaspis is a genus of equatorial African lizards in the family Lacertidae. These lizards are capable of gliding flight for distances of 30 meters.
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.
Nucras is a genus of African lacertid lizards, commonly called sandveld 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.
Pseuderemias is a genus of lizards of the family Lacertidae. Common names for the genus are false sand lizards or racerunners.
Timon princeps, commonly called the Siirt lizard or the Zagrosian lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is endemic to Western Asia.
Philochortus zolii is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is native to northern Africa.
Congolacerta is a genus of equatorial African lacertids of the family Lacertidae. Species of this genus are distributed in western East Africa.
Acanthodactylus tristrami, commonly called the Lebanon fringe-fingered lizard and Tristram's spiny-footed lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is endemic to the Middle East.
Latastia boscai, also known commonly as the Eritrea longtail lizard or Bosca's long-tailed lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is native to East Africa and the Horn of Africa. There are three recognized subspecies.
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.
Latastia longicaudata, also known commonly as the common long-tailed lizard and the southern long-tailed lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is native to northern sub-Saharan Africa. There are four recognized subspecies.
Philochortus hardeggeri, also known commonly as Hardegger's orangetail lizard and Hardegger's shield-backed lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is native to the Horn of Africa.
Philochortus intermedius, also known commonly as the southern orangetail lizard and Boulenger's shield-backed lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is native to the Horn of Africa.
Philochortus neumanni, known commonly as Neumann's orangetail lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is endemic to the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia.
Philochortus phillipsi, known commonly as Phillips' orangetail lizard or Phillips' shield-backed lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is endemic to the Horn of Africa.
Philochortus rudolfensis, also known commonly as the southern shield-backed lizard and the Turkana shield-backed ground lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is native to East Africa and the Horn of Africa.
Philochortus spinalis, also known commonly as Peters's shield-backed lizard and the Eritrea orangetail lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is native to the Horn of Africa.
Pseuderemias smithii, also known commonly as Smith's racerunner or Smith's sand racer, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is native to East Africa.
Omanosaura jayakari, also known commonly as the Jayakar lizard, Jayakar's lizard, and Jayakar's Oman lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is native to Oman and the United Arab Emirates.