Species of lizard
Lepidophyma gaigeae, also known commonly as Gaige's tropical night lizard and la lagartija nocturna de Gaige in Mexican Spanish, is a small species of lizard in the family Xantusiidae. The species is native to eastern Mexico.[2]
Etymology
The specific name, gaigeae, is in honor of American herpetologist Helen Beulah Thompson Gaige.[3]
Geographic range
L. gaigeae is native to the Sierra Madre Oriental of northern Querétaro state and adjacent northwestern Hidalgo state, between 1,800 and 2,200 m (5,900 and 7,200 ft) elevation.[1]
Habitat
The preferred natural habitat of L. gaigeae is rocky areas of forest or shrubland.[1]
Reproduction
L. gaigeae is viviparous.[1][2] Litter size may be as small as one newborn.[1]
References
Further reading
- Goldberg, Stephen R.; Bursey, Charles R.; Arreola, Jeanette (2014). "Lepidophyma gaigeae (Gaige's Tropical Night Lizard). Endoparasites". Herpetological Review 45 (3): 502.
- Gonzalez A., Arturo (1995). "Distributional Notes for the Night Lizard Lepidophyma gaigeae (Xantusiidae)". Herpetological Review 26 (1): 15–17.
- Mosauer W (1936). "A New Xantusiid Lizard of the Genus Lepidophyma". Herpetologica 1: 3–5, Plate 2. (Lepidophyma gaigeae, new species).
- Smith HM (1939). "Notes on Mexican Reptiles and Amphibians". Field Museum of Natural History, Zoological Series 24 (4): 15–35. (Gaigeia gaigeae, new combination, p. 24).