Tropidosaura montana

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Tropidosaura montana
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Lacertidae
Genus: Tropidosaura
Species:
T. montana
Binomial name
Tropidosaura montana
(Gray, 1831)
Synonyms [2]

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. [2]

Contents

Habitat

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

Description

Adults of T. montana have a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 4.5–5.5 cm (1.8–2.2 in). Compared to other species of its genus, the head is shorter, and the tail is longer. [3]

Behavior

T. montana is terrestrial. [1]

Reproduction

T. montana is oviparous. [2] An adult female may lay a clutch of 4–5 eggs, each egg measuring on average 10.5 x 6.5 mm (0.41 x 0.26 in). Eggs are laid in November and hatch in a little more than a month. Each hatchling has a total length (including tail) of about 6 cm (2.4 in). [3]

Subspecies

Three subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies. [2]

T. m. montana Tropidosaura montana montana 157774160.jpg
T. m. montana
T. m. rangeri white morph Tropidosaura montana rangeri.jpg
T. m. rangeri white morph

Nota bene : A trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the subspecies was originally described in a genus other than Tropidosaura .

Etymology

The subspecific name, rangeri, is in honor of Gordon Ranger who collected the holotype. [4]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Tolley, K.A.; Turner, A.A. (2018). "Tropidosaura montana". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2018: e.T197009A115665542. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T197009A115665542.en . Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Tropidosaura montana at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database . Accessed 22 May 2019.
  3. 1 2 Branch, Bill (2004). Field Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of Southern Africa. Third Revised edition, Second impression. Sanibel Island, Florida. 399 pp. ISBN   0-88359-042-5. (Tropidosaura montana, p. 176 + Plate 62).
  4. Hewitt J (1926).

Further reading