Tetradactylus fitzsimonsi

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Tetradactylus fitzsimonsi
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Gerrhosauridae
Genus: Tetradactylus
Species:
T. fitzsimonsi
Binomial name
Tetradactylus fitzsimonsi
Hewitt, 1915
Synonyms [2]
  • Tetradactylus fitzsimonsi
    Hewitt, 2015
  • Tetradactylus africanus fitzsimonsi
    V. FitzSimons, 1943
  • Tetradactylus fitzsimonsi
    Bates et al., 2014

Tetradactylus fitzsimonsi, commonly known as Fitzsimons' long-tailed seps and FitzSimons' whip lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Gerrhosauridae. The species is endemic to South Africa. [2]

Contents

Etymology

The specific name, fitzsimonsi, is in honor of Irish-born South African herpetologist Frederick William FitzSimons. [3]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitats of T. fitzsimonsi are grassland and shrubland. [1]

Description

T. fitzsimonsi has no front legs. Its hind legs are minute, with only one toe on each foot. [2] Adults may attain a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of about 8 cm (3.1 in) and a total length (including a long tail) of about 34 cm (13 in). [4]

Reproduction

T. fitzsimonsi is oviparous. A clutch of 2–5 eggs is laid in a live ant nest ( Anochetus faurei). Communal nesting has been observed. Each egg measures about 1.5 cm × 1.0 cm (0.59 in × 0.39 in). Each hatchling has a total length (including tail) of about 12.5 cm (4.9 in). [4]

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References

  1. 1 2 Conradie, W.; Tolley, K.A.; Weeber, J.; Pietersen, D.; Alexander, G.J. (2022). "Tetradactylus fitzsimonsi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2022: e.T110221422A197427541. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T110221422A197427541.en . Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 "Tetradactylus fitzsimonsi ". The Reptile Database. Retrieved 2007-12-30.
  3. Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN   978-1-4214-0135-5. (Tetradactylus africanus fitzsimonsi, p. 91).
  4. 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. (Tetradactylus africanus fitzsimonsi, p. 182 + Plate 50).


Further reading