Pedioplanis burchelli
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Lacertidae
Genus: Pedioplanis
Species:
P. burchelli
Binomial name
Pedioplanis burchelli
Synonyms[2]
  • Eremias burchelli A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1839
  • Mesalina burchelli Szczerbak, 1975
  • Pedioplanis burchelli Mayer, 1989

Pedioplanis burchelli, known commonly as Burchell's sand lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is native to Southern Africa.

Etymology

The specific name, burchelli, is in honor of William John Burchell who was an English explorer and naturalist.[3]

Range

P. burchelli is found in Lesotho and the Republic of South Africa.[2]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitats of P. burchelli are savanna, shrubland, and grassland.[1]

Description

Adults of P. burchelli have a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 4.5–5.5 centimetres (1.8–2.2 in). Coloration is very variable. The lower eyelid is opaque, without any transparent "window" scales. There are no enlarged temporal or tympanic shields.[4]

Reproduction

P. burchelli is oviparous.[2] Clutch size is 4-6 eggs. Each oval egg measures about 9 mm (0.35 in) by 11 mm (0.43 in). Each hatchling has a total length (including tail) of about 7.2 cm (2.8 in).[4]

References

  1. 1 2 Tolley K, Turner AA (2018). "Pedioplanis burchelli ". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T196997A115665169. https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T196997A115665169.en. Downloaded on 16 May 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 Pedioplanis burchelli at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 16 May 2019.
  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. (Pedioplanis burchelli, p. 43).
  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. (Pedioplanis burchelli, p. 171 + Plate 59).

Further reading

  • Duméril AMC, Bibron G (1839). Erpétologie générale ou Histoire naturelle complète des Reptiles. Tome cinquième [Volume 5]. Paris: Roret. viii + 854 pp. (Eremias burchelli, new species, pp. 303–304). (in French).
  • Kirchhof S, Penner J, Rödel M-O, Müller J (2017). "Resolution of the types, diagnostic features, and distribution of two easily confused Sand Lizards, Pedioplanis laticeps (Smith, 1845) and P. burchelli (Duméril & Bibron, 1839) (Squamata: Lacertidae)". Zootaxa 4318 (1): 082–109.
  • Nkosi WT, Heideman NJL, Van Wyk JH (2004). "Reproduction and Sexual Size Dimorphism in the Lacertid Lizard Pedioplanus burchelli (Sauria: Lacertidae) in SouthAfrica". Journal of Herpetology 38 (4): 473–480.
  • Tolley KA, Makokha JS, Houniet DT, Swart BL, Matthee CA (2009). "The potential for predicted climate shifts to impact genetic landscapes of lizards in the South African Cape Floristic Region". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 51 (1): 120–130.



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