Psammodromus algirus

Psammodromus algirus
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Lacertoidea
Family:	Lacertidae
Genus:	Psammodromus
Species:	P. algirus
Binomial name
Psammodromus algirus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Range
Synonyms [2]
Lacerta algira Linnaeus, 1758 Tropidosaura algira — A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1839 Algira (Tropidosaura) algira — Boettger, 1885 Psammodromus algirus — Boulenger, 1887 Pantodactylus nicefori C. Burt & M. Burt, 1931 Psammodromus manuelae Busack, Salvador & Lawson, 2006 Psammodromus jeanneae Busack, Salvador & Lawson, 2006 Psammodromus algirus — Mendes et al., 2017

Psammodromus algirus, known commonly as the Algerian psammodromus or the large psammodromus, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. ^{[1] [2]} The species is found in southwestern Europe and northwestern Africa. ^[2]

Subspecies

There are four subspecies: ^[2]

• Psammodromus algirus algirus (Linnaeus, 1758)
• Psammodromus algirus doriae Bedriaga, 1886
• Psammodromus algirus nollii Fischer, 1887
• Psammodromus algirus ketamensis Galán, 1931

Geographic range

Psammodromus algirus is found in North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia) and in Southwestern Europe (Iberian Peninsula: Portugal, Spain, Andorra, Gibraltar; southernmost France, and Italy near Lampedusa). ^[2]

The IUCN assessment from 2009 treats Psammodromus algirus nollii and Psammodromus algirus ketamensis as full species and restricts Psammodromus algirus to North Africa. ^[1]

Habitat

P. algirus typically occurs in dense bushy vegetation, but it can also venture to more open areas. It can be found at elevations up to 2,600 m (8,500 ft) above sea level, but it is more common at lower elevations. ^[3]

Diet

Psammodromus algirus mainly feeds on terrestrial arthropods, specifically Orthoptera, Formicidae, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, and Araneae. ^[4]

Conservation status

P. algirus is threatened by habitat loss. ^[1]

Description

P. algirus commonly reaches a snout–vent length of about 7.5 cm (3.0 in), occasionally 9 cm (3.5 in). The tail is 2–3 times the body length. Dorsal colouration is usually metallic brownish with a pair of conspicuous white or yellowish stripes on both sides. ^[3]

References

1. Mateo, J.A.; Cheylan, M.; Nouira, M.S.; Joger, U.; Sá-Sousa, P.; Pérez Mellado, V.; Martinez Solano, I.; Sindaco, R. (2016) [errata version of 2009 assessment]. "Psammodromus algirus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2009: e.T61558A86629654. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2009.RLTS.T61558A12491246.en . Retrieved 14 June 2023.
2. Psammodromus algirus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database
3. Arnold, E. Nicholas & Ovenden, Denys (2002). A field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Britain and Europe (2 ed.). London: Collins. pp. 228 pp. + Plates 1–49. ISBN   9780002199643. (Psammodromus algirus, pp. 127–128 + Plate 21, figure 2 + Map 90).
4. Moreno-Rueda, Gregorio; Melero, Elena; Reguera, Senda; Zamora-Camacho, Francisco J; Álvarez-Benito, Inés (2018). "Prey availability, prey selection, and trophic niche width in the lizard Psammodromus algirus along an elevational gradient". Current Zoology. 64 (5): 603–613. doi:10.1093/cz/zox077. PMC   6178790 .

Further reading

• Boulenger GA (1887). Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum (Natural History). Second Edition. Volume III. Lacertidæ ... London: Trustees of the British Museum. (Taylor and Francis, printers). xii + 575 pp. + Plates I-XL. (Psammodromus algirus, new combination, p. 50).
• Linnaeus C (1758). Systema naturæ per regna tria naturæ, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Tomus I. Editio Decima, Reformata. Stockholm: L. Salvius. 824 pp. (Lacerta algira, new species, p. 203). (in Latin).