The Sekukhune flat lizard (Platysaurus orientalis) is a species of lizard in the family Cordylidae. The species is endemic to South Africa. It has two subspecies.[3]
| Sekukhune flat lizard (pempenyane in Pedi language) | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Cordylidae |
| Genus: | Platysaurus |
| Species: | P. orientalis
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| Binomial name | |
| Platysaurus orientalis V. FitzSimons, 1941[2]
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| Synonyms[3] | |
Description
editFemales and juveniles of P. orientalis have a black back with white stripes, as well as a white belly. Adult males have a green body, and a tail which is orange or red above, and yellow underneath. Adults usually have a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 7.0–7.5 cm (2.8–3.0 in); the longest recorded SVL is 9.0 cm (3.5 in).[4]
Geographic range and habitat
editThe Sekukhune flat lizard lives in a small area of savannah in South Africa in the Sekhukhuneland natural region. This includes the Mpumalanga Escarpment.[4]
Reproduction
editFemale Sekukhune flat lizards lay two eggs in a rock crack in early summer.[4]
Diet
editThe diet of the Sekukhune flat lizard includes insects, including caterpillars.[4]
Subspecies
editTwo subspecies are recognized.[3]
- P. o. orientalis V. FitzSimons, 1941 – Drakensberg mountains in Mpumalanga in South Africa.
- P. o. fitzsimonsi Loveridge, 1944 – eastern Sekhukhuneland.
The subspecific name, fitzsimonsi, is in honor of South African herpetologist (Mr.) Vivian Frederick Maynard FitzSimons.[5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Bates, M.F.; Whiting, M.J. (2018). "Platysaurus orientalis ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T110165772A115677936. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T110165772A115677936.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
- ^ "Platysaurus orientalis ". Zipcode Zoo. Archived from the original on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2007-08-31.
- ^ a b c Species Platysaurus orientalis at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
- ^ a b c d 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. (Platysaurus orientalis, pp. 199-200 + Plate 74).
- ^ 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. (Platysaurus orientalis fitzsimonsi, p. 91).
Further reading
edit- FitzSimons V (1941). "Descriptions of some New Lizards from South Africa and a Frog from Southern Rhodesia". Annals of the Transvaal Museum 20 (3): 273-281. (Platysaurus minor orientalis, new subspecies, p. 280).
- Jacobsen NHG, Newbery RE (1989). "The Genus Platysaurus A. Smith 1844 in the Transvaal". African Journal of Herpetology 36: 51-63. (Platysaurus orientalis, new combination; Platysaurus orientalis fitzsimonsi, new combination).
- Loveridge A (1944). "Revision of the African Lizards of the Family Cordylidae". Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 95 (1): 1-118 + Plates 1-12. (Platysaurus guttatus fitzsimonsi, new subspecies, pp. 88–89).
- Stanley EL, Bauer AM, Jackman TR, Branch WR, Mouton PLFN (2011). "Between a rock and a hard polytomy: Rapid radiation in the rupicolous girdled lizards (Squamata: Cordylidae)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 58 (1): 53–70.
External links
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