Sekukhune flat lizard
Species of lizard
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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) | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Cordylidae |
| Genus: | Platysaurus |
| Species: | P. orientalis |
| Binomial name | |
| Platysaurus orientalis V. FitzSimons, 1941[2] | |
| Synonyms[3] | |
Description
Females 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
The 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
Diet
The diet of the Sekukhune flat lizard includes insects, including caterpillars.[4]
Subspecies
Two 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]
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