Pseudocordylus microlepidotus

Pseudocordylus microlepidotus, the Cape crag lizard, is a species of lizard native to shrublands and grasslands of South Africa.[1] Three subspecies have been named: Pseudocordylus microlepidotus microlepidotus, Pseudocordylus microlepidotus fasciatus, and Pseudocordylus microlepidotus namaquensis.[2] The species is ovoviviparous. The species is protected under CITES.[3]

Pseudocordylus microlepidotus
Pseudocordylus microlepidotus microlepidotus on Table Mountain
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Cordylidae
Genus: Pseudocordylus
Species:
P. microlepidotus
Binomial name
Pseudocordylus microlepidotus
(Cuvier, 1829)

Description

The two sexes are very similar in size, however males exhibit a larger head than females.[4] Males also develop more glands than females. The sexes begin to differentiate before sexual maturity.

References

  1. "The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 2019-05-16.
  2. "Pseudocordylus microlepidotus". The Reptile Database. Retrieved 2019-05-16.
  3. "Encyclopedia of Life". eol.org. Retrieved 2019-05-16.
  4. Mouton, P. le Fras N.; Gagiano, Carmen; Sachse, Beate (2005-06-01). "Generation glands and sexual size dimorphism in the Cape Crag Lizard, Pseudocordylus microlepidotus". African Journal of Herpetology. 54 (1): 43–51. doi:10.1080/21564574.2005.9635516. ISSN 2156-4574. S2CID 83968220.


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