Tetradactylus fitzsimonsi | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Family: | Gerrhosauridae |
Genus: | Tetradactylus |
Species: | T. fitzsimonsi |
Binomial name | |
Tetradactylus fitzsimonsi Hewitt, 1915 | |
Synonyms [2] | |
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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]
The specific name, fitzsimonsi, is in honor of Irish-born South African herpetologist Frederick William FitzSimons. [3]
The preferred natural habitats of T. fitzsimonsi are grassland and shrubland. [1]
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]
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]
The genus Cordylus includes a wide variety of species of small to medium spiny lizards from Africa, collectively called girdle-tailed lizards or girdled lizards. All are diurnal and ovoviviparous. Most species are rupicolous (rock-dwelling), while a few species are arboreal or live in burrows. They defend themselves with osteoderms and by quickly retreating into rock crevices or burrows. Many species live in groups, and males defend territories.
Tetradactylus is a genus of lizards in the family Gerrhosauridae. The genus is endemic to Africa.
The berg adder is a venomous viper species endemic to mountainous regions in southern Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Tetradactylus breyeri, commonly known as Breyer's long-tailed seps or Breyer's whip lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Gerrhosauridae. The species is endemic to South Africa.
Eastwood's longtailed seps, also known commonly as Eastwood's whip lizard was a species of lizard in the family Gerrhosauridae. The species was endemic to South Africa. Its natural habitat was subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland. It became extinct due to habitat loss.
The Sekukhune flat lizard is a species of lizard in the family Cordylidae. The species is endemic to South Africa. It has two subspecies.
Warren's girdled lizard is a species of relatively large, flattened lizard in the family Cordylidae. The species is native to Southern Africa.
Frederick William FitzSimons, was an Irish-born South African naturalist, noted as a herpetologist for his research on snakes and their venom, and on the commercial production of anti-venom.
Vivian Frederick Maynard FitzSimons, born in Pietermaritzburg, was a notable herpetologist in South Africa. Also, he contributed to the collection of spermatophyte samples for the National Herbarium which has become part of the South African National Biodiversity Institute at the Pretoria National Botanical Garden. In 1937, together with Anna Amelia Obermeyer, he collected some of the earliest plant specimens from the Eastern Highlands of Rhodesia.
Pachydactylus labialis, commonly known as the Calvinia thick-toed gecko, Western Cape gecko, or Western Cape thick-toed gecko, is a gecko species endemic to the Western and Northern Cape in South Africa, often found taking shelter under stones.
Namazonurus campbelli, commonly known as Campbell's girdled lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Cordylidae. A small girdled lizard, N. campbelli is endemic to Namibia. It is often mistaken for the more common Herero girdled lizard, N. pustulatus, as they both are similar in size and have flattened bodies. N. campbelli lives in rock crevices and cracks on dry mountain slopes
Van Dam's girdled lizard is a species of lizard in the family Cordylidae. The species is endemic to South Africa.
Chondrodactylus fitzsimonsi, also known commonly as the button-scaled gecko, FitzSimons' thick-toed gecko, Fitzsimons's thick-toed gecko, and FitzSimons' tubercled gecko, is a species of gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is native to southwestern Africa.
Werner's thick-toed gecko is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to Namibia.
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 gularis, also known commonly as the Cape mountain lizard and the yellow-striped mountain lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is endemic to South 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.
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.
Scelotes fitzsimonsi, also known commonly as Fitzsimons' dwarf burrowing skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is indigenous to southern Africa.
Elapsoidea sundevallii, also known commonly as Sundevall's garter snake or African garter snake, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is native to Southern Africa. There are five recognised subspecies.