Shovel-snouted lizard

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Shovel-snouted lizard
Meroles anchietae 345390261.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. anchietae
Binomial name
Meroles anchietae
(Bocage, 1867)
Synonyms [2] [3]
  • Pachyrhynchus anchietæ
    Bocage, 1867
  • Aporosaura anchietæ
    Boulenger, 1887
  • Aporosaura anchietae
    Loveridge, 1936
  • Meroles anchietae
    Arnold, 1989

The shovel-snouted lizard (Meroles anchietae), also known commonly as Anchieta's desert lizard, Anchieta's dune lizard and the Namib sand-diver, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is native to southern Africa.

Contents

Etymology

The specific name, anchietae, is in honor of Portuguese naturalist José Alberto de Oliveira Anchieta, who was an explorer of Africa. [4]

Geographic range

M. anchietae is found in Angola and Namibia. [2]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of M. anchietae is desert, with aeolian sand dunes and sparse vegetation, at altitudes from sea level to 500 m (1,600 ft). [1]

Description

Adults of M. anchietae have a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of about 5 cm (2.0 in). [5]

Diet

M. anchietae preys upon insects, especially small beetles. During dry periods when insects are scarce, it will eat seeds. [5]

Reproduction

M. anchietae is oviparous. [2]

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. 1 2 Baptista N, Bauer AM, Becker F, Conradie W (2020). "Meroles anchietae ". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T196981A110221608. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T196981A110221608.en. Downloaded on 12 April 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 Meroles anchietae at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database . Accessed 5 May 2019.
  3. Boulenger GA (1887). Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum (Natural History). Second Edition. Volume III. Lacertidæ ... London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xii + 575 pp. + Plates I–XL. (Aporosaura anchietæ, new combination, p. 117).
  4. 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 anchietae, p. 8).
  5. 1 2 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 anchietae, pp. 164–165 + Plate 56).

Further reading