Meroles knoxii

Meroles knoxii
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Lacertidae
Genus: Meroles
Species:
M. knoxii
Binomial name
Meroles knoxii
Synonyms[2]
  • Eremias knoxii
    (Milne-Edwards, 1829)
  • Lacerta knoxii
    Milne-Edwards, 1829
  • Scapteira knoxii
    (Milne-Edwards, 1829)
  • Scaptira knoxii
    (Milne-Edwards, 1829)
  • Scaptira knoxii pequensis
    Hewitt, 1935

Meroles knoxii, also known commonly as Knox's desert lizard and Knox's ocellated sand lizard, is a species of sand-dwelling lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is native to southern Africa.

Etymology

The specific name, knoxii, is in honor of Scottish anatomist Robert Knox.[3]

Description

Adults of M. knoxii usually have a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 5.5–6.5 cm (2.2–2.6 in). The ear openings are visible. The toes are slightly fringed. Dorsally, the body is brownish, with a striped and spotted pattern. Ventrally, it is bluish gray to cream-colored, except during breeding season when males have a bright yellow chin, throat, and anal region.[4]

Geographic range

M. knoxii occurs in Namibia and South Africa.[2]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of M. knoxii is shrubland.[1]

Behavior

M. knoxii is terrestrial,[1] diurnal, and active, dashing across sandy soil from shrub to shrub.[4]

Diet

M. knoxii preys upon beetles, flies, and other insects.[4]

Reproduction

M. knoxii is oviparous.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c Tolley, K.A.; Turner, A.A. (2018). "Meroles knoxii ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T196984A115664614. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T196984A115664614.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Meroles knoxii at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 5 May 2019.
  3. ^ Beolens B, Watkins M, Grayson M (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Meroles knoxii, p. 143).
  4. ^ a b c 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. (Meroles knoxii, p. 166 + Plate 57).

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 knoxii, new combination, pp. 299–302). (in French).
  • FitzSimons VF (1943). The Lizards of South Africa. Transvaal Museum Memoir No. 1. Pretoria: Transvaal Museum. xvi + 528 pp. (Scaptira knoxii, p. 362).
  • Milne-Edwards H (1829). "Recherches zoologiques pour servir à l'histoire des Lézards, extraites d'une Monographie de ce genre ". Annales des Sciences Naturelles, Paris 16: 50–89. (Lacerta knoxii, new species, p. 85). (in French).
  • Szczerbak, Nikolai N. (1989). "Catalogue of the African Sand Lizards (Reptilia: Sauria: Erimiainae: Lampreremias, Pseuderemias, Taenieremias, Mesalina, Meroles) ". Herpetozoa 1 (3/4): 119–132.



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