Pedioplanis laticeps, known commonly as the Cape sand lizard or the Karoo sand lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is endemic to Southern Africa.[1][2]

Pedioplanis laticeps
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Lacertidae
Genus: Pedioplanis
Species:
P. laticeps
Binomial name
Pedioplanis laticeps
(A. Smith, 1845)
Synonyms[2]
  • Eremias laticeps A. Smith, 1845
  • Mesalina laticeps Szczerbak, 1975
  • Pedioplanis laticeps Mayer, 1989

Geographic range

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P. laticeps is found in southern Namibia and western South Africa.[1][2]

Habitat

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The preferred natural habitat of P. laticeps is shrubland.[1]

Description

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The coloration of P. laticeps is very variable. Adults have a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 5–6 cm (2.0–2.4 in). There is no gular fold, and the nasals are not in contact with each other behind the rostral.[3]

Reproduction

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P. laticeps is oviparous.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Tolley K, Turner AA (2018). "Pedioplanis laticeps ". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T178741A115660460. https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T178741A115660460.en. Downloaded on 16 May 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d Pedioplanis laticeps at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 16 May 2019.
  3. ^ 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. (Pedioplanis laticeps, p. 171 + Plate 59).

Further reading

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  • Kirchhof S, Penner J, Rödel M-O [fr], Müller J (2017). "Resolution of the types, diagnostic features, and distribution of two easily confused Sand Lizards, Pedioplanis laticeps (Smith, 1845) and P. burchelli (Duméril & Bibron, 1839) (Squamata: Lacertidae)". Zootaxa 4318 (1): 82–109.
  • Plessis IJ, Mouton PFN (2011). "Habitat Preferences of Three Sympatric Lacertid Lizards in the Arid Tankwa Karoo Basin of South Africa". African Zoology 46 (1): 88–94.
  • Smith A (1845). Illustrations of the Zoology of South Africa; Consisting Chiefly of Figures and Descriptions of the Objects of Natural History Collected during an Expedition into the Interior of South Africa, in the Years 1834, 1835, and 1836; Fitted out by "The Cape of Good Hope Association for Exploring Central Africa:" Together with a Summary of African Zoology, and an Inquiry into the Geographical Ranges of Species in that Quarter of the Globe. [Volume III. Reptilia]. London: Lords Commissioners of her Majesty's Treasury. (Smith, Elder and Co., printers). Plates I–XLVIII + unnumbered pages of text. (Eremias laticeps, new species, plate XLVI, figure 1 + two unnumbered pages). (in English and Latin).