DOCSLIB.ORG

The Female Reproductive Cycle of the Lizard, Cordylus Polyzonus Polyzonus (Sauria: Cordylidae) in the Orange Free State

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Female Reproductive Cycle of the Lizard, Cordylus Polyzonus Polyzonus (Sauria: Cordylidae) in the Orange Free State S. Afr. J. Zoo!. 1989,24(4) 263 The female reproductive cycle of the lizard, Cordylus polyzonus polyzonus (Sauria: Cordylidae) in the Orange Free State J.H. van Wyk* National Museum, P.O. Box 266, Bloemfontein, 9300 Republic of South Africa Received 13 November 1987; accepted 24 February 1989 Winter reproductive activity is exhibited by females of the vIviparous lizard, Cordy/us p.po/yzonus. Vitellogenesis commences in May (autumn), continuing throughout the winter months with ovulation in October. Females are pregnant during summer and give birth in late summer (February). Clutch size is positively correlated to female body size. During embryonic development, ovarian follicles remain small and translucent and the corpora lutea progressively decrease in size until parturition occurs. Embryonic growth was characterized by a concomitant decline in embryonic yolk mass. Although considerable variation was observed in the fat body mass, maximal fat body mass peaked in winter (June) and in mid-summer (December). The onset of vitellogenesis corresponded to declining photoperiod and environmental temperatures. Die lewendbarende akkedis, Cordy/us p. po/yzonus toon voortplantingsaktiwiteit gedurende die wintermaande. Dooierneerlegging begin gedurende Mei (herts) en duur voort deur die wintermaande tot ovulasie in Oktober. Wyfies is verwagtend gedurende die somer en kleintjies word in die laat-somer (Februarie) gebore. Eiergetal is positief gekorreleerd met die liggaamsgrootte van die wyfie. Gedurende embrionale ontwikkeling bly die ovariumfollikels klein en deursigtig en die corpora lutea verklein voor geboorte in Februarie. Embrionale groei gaan gepaard met 'n afname in die embrionale dooiermassa. Alhoewel aansienlike variasie in die massa van die vetliggame voorkom, is maksimum vetliggaam-massa gedurende winter- (Junie) en somermaande (Desember) waargeneem. Die aanvang van dooierneerlegging val saam met die verkorting van dagliglengte en dalende omgewingstemperature. 'Present address: Department of Zoology, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, 7600 Republic of South Africa . ) 0 Studies examining the reproductive strategies of South It is widely accepted that separate phylogenies of vivipa­ 1 0 African reptiles are uncommon. An examination of the rity must have occurred (Guillette 1981; Shine 1985). 2 d reproductive cycle and the possible proximal factors Shine(1985) suggested that viviparity evolved only once e t influencing or controlling this cycle forms the basis of the in the family Cordylidae, however, the specific evolu­ a d ( analysis of the reproductive strategy of a species tionary pathway remains to be determined for this r e (Guillette & Casas-Andreu 1987). Information on the group. h s reproductive cycles of South African reptiles is anecdotal Cordylus polyzonus is a rupicolous lizard known from i l b in nature, consisting primarily of observational data the southern parts of the Orange Free State, westwards u P rather than detailed seasonal studies. throughout the karroo to western Cape Province and e h Most studies have examined the reproductive biology southern South West Africa (FitzSimons 1943; Love­ t y of North American or European lizard species (see Fitch ridge 1944; De Waal 1978). This species is viviparous, b 1970; Duvall, Guillette & Jones 1982; Licht 1984). These but as for all the other cordylid species, little is known d e t studies have demonstrated that variation in reproductive regarding the reproductive cycle of C. p. polyzonus. n a cyclicity varies among geographically isolated popUla­ Hewitt & Power (1913) suggested that courtship takes r g tions of the same species (Guillette & Casas-Andreu place in September with young born in January. e c 1987). Moreover, field data and laboratory experiments Loveridge (1944) observed fully developed in utero n e c have demonstrated that several environmental factors young in a female collected in April. Fitch (1970) i l influence reproductive cyclicity in reptiles (Duvall et al. reported mating in early spring and birth, usually two r e d 1982; Licht 1984.) As current life history theory is based young, in mid- or late summer. De Waal (1978) found n u on data derived primarily from temperate northern 2-3 well-developed embryos in specimens collected in y hemisphere reptiles, additional studies are needed January and February. a w examining species inhabiting the tropics and southern The purpose of this study is to describe the reproduc­ e t a hemisphere. tive cycle of C. p. polyzonus in the Orange Free State G The family Cordylidae is endemic to Southern Africa using material housed in the herpetology collection of t e and Madagascar. All the species included in the six the National Museum, Bloemfontein. Previous studies n i b genera of the subfamily Gerrhosaurinae are known to be have demonstrated that data obtained from museum col­ a S oviparous. Except for the genus Platysaurus, the species lections represent an important source of information y b of the three remaining genera (Cordylus, Pseudocordylus concerning the reproductive biology of reptiles (see d and Chamaesaura) of the subfamily Cordylinae are Shine 1980,1982; Guillette & Casas-Andreu 1987). e c u known to be viviparous. (FitzSimons 1943; Fitch 1970). Because C. p. polyzonus is widespread in its distribution, d o r p e R 264 S.-Afr. Tydskr. Dierk. 1989,24(4) this study is also the first of a series of investigations of the Orange Free State region (De Waal 1978) and throughout the distribution range to eventually analyse housed in the collection of the National Museum, geographic variation in reproductive timing in order to Bloemfontein. Additional collecting in the study area understand the role of biogeographic history in shaping was undertaken during 1983 to obtain larger sample the reproductive strategy of this species. sizes. Since the smallest female exhibiting vitellogenesis (therefore sexually mature) had a snout to vent length Materials and Methods (SVL) of 87 mm, only lizards larger than 90 mm SVL Study area (101± 0,54 mm) (n = 165) were dissected. The maximum SVL size reported for this species is 124 mm The specimens examined were collected in the southern (FitzSimons 1943; Loveridge 1944; De Waal 1978). Fat region of the Orange Free State (O.F.S.) within the bodies, embryo mass, yolk mass and stomach contents boundaries of 28°-31°S latitude and 24°30'-27°E were dried to constant mass at 60°C in an oven. The longitude. Vegetation predominantly represents karroo following pertinent measurements were taken during or karroid-veld (Acocks 1975). Dolerite outcrops are a autopsy: SVL (nearest 0,1 mm), diameter of the three common phenomenon in the study area and De Waal largest ovarian follicles (nearest 0,01 mm), diameter of (1978) suggested that C. p. polyzonus may occur all corpora lutea (nearest 0,01 mm) and longest and exclusively on dolerites in the study area. The study area shortest diameter of in utero eggs (nearest 0,01 mm). is a semi-arid region with an anrttial rainfall of 400 mm or Measurements were made either by vernier caliper or an less. This region is characterized by summer rains with a ocular micrometer. Additionally, clutch size was distinct dry season during the winter months (Figure 1). obtained for all pregnant females and embryonic Most of the study area falls in the moderately severe development was staged using the embryonic sequence frost zone. Weather records were obtained for several defined by Defaure & Hubert (1961) for the viviparous weather stations in the region from the South African lizard Lacerta vivipara. Weather Bureau. A principal component analysis (PCA) All similar data for a female were averaged and all was conducted on the climatic variables whereafter means for a given month were combined to calculate another PCA was conducted on the various weather monthly means and standard errors. Analysis of variance stations using the environmental variable with the (ANOVA) was performed to determine significant highest PCA score. The Fauresmith weather station changes in monthly samples. Clutch size was regressed (29°46'S /25°19'E) explained 99,8% of the climatic against SVL and linear and exponential models fitted. variation in the study area and was therefore used as the All means are presented as mean ± lSE (standard . ) error). A Student's t test was used for comparisons of 0 reference weather station. Using daily records, maxi­ 1 two groups (BIOSTAT: Pimentel & Smith 1968). 0 mum and minimum air temperatures and total rainfall 2 were calculated on a monthly basis for the period 1972- Probability values smaller than 0,05 were recognized as d e t 1976 (Figure 1). Photoperiod regimes were calculated significant. a d using the formula in Van Leeuwen (1981). ( r Results e h Reproductive cycle s Reproductive cycle i l b The majority of the C. p. polyzonus specimens studied The reproductive cycle of female C. p. polyzonus is u P were collected during an extensive survey of the reptiles presented in Figure 2. Females examined during late e February and early March contained small translucent h t ovarian follicles (1,78 ± 0,06 mm). Variability was y b RAlNFALL(mm) 80 evident in follicular size during vitellogenesis, indicative d e t of asynchrony among females during this period of n 30 70 follicular growth. However, a significant seasonal trend a r g 80 was observed (F ,151 48,96; P < 0,0001). Vitello­ l1 = e c genesis began in May (autumn) with 50% of the sample n 20 50 e containing follicles larger than 3 mm. During the winter c i l 40 15 months, June and July, 10% contained follicles larger r e than 3 mm and 36% had follicles larger than 5 mm. The d 10 30 n onset of vitellogenesis and the early part of follicular u 5 20 y growth is negatively correlated with decreasing ambient a temperatures (r -0,9203; P < 0,05), rainfall (r w o 10 = = e t -0,9012; P < 0,05) (Figure 1) and photoperiod (r = a ~ 0 G -0,8473; P < 0,05) (Figure 3) in the study area.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Notes on the Giant Girdled Lizard Cordylus Giganteus A
    British Herpetological Society Bulletin, No. 10, 1984 NOTES ON THE GIANT GIRDLED LIZARD CORDYLUS GIGANTEUS A. SMITH JOHAN MARAIS 23IA Langton Road, Montclair, Durban, South Africa The giant girdled lizard, Cordylus giganteus, is one of South Africa's largest and most impressive Cordylids. Though abundant and well known where it occurs, very little has been written about this lizard. Very popular in zoo and private collections and, until recently, easily obtainable from dealers in Europe and U.S.A., the species is now protected throughout most of its range, and it is therefore unlikely that many more specimens will reach the "pet trade" in future. COMMON NAME Giant girdled lizard; sungazer; Lord Derby's girdled lizard; and, in Afrikaans, sonkyker ("sun- watcher") ouvolk ("old people") or skurwejan. Cordylus giganteus RANGE North-eastern Orange Free State and adjacent southern Transvaal. Possibly occurs in bordering areas of Lesotho in the east and the Cape Province in the south. Branch and Patterson (1975) stated that the presence of Cordylus giganteus in the southern Transvaal "is now doubtful". This species is, in fact, abundant in that region. Cordylus giganteus has recently been found in Natal. SIZE Largest specimens measured by De Waal (1978) during his survey were as follows: a male measuring 204 + 172 = 376mm and a female measuring 205 + 181 = 386mm. 30 HABITAT Flat or sloping, mixed to sour grassveld where it excavates its own burrow. The flattened oblong burrow entrances are well-worn and may face any direction. The burrows average 2-3 metres in length and from 30-45cm in depth.
    [Show full text]
  • Giant Sungazer Lizard, Cordylus Giganteus, in Captivity Gary Fogel Email: [email protected]
    Bull. Chicago Herp. Soc. 35(12):277-280, 2000 Observations on the Giant Sungazer Lizard, Cordylus giganteus, in Captivity Gary Fogel Email: [email protected] In the past few years, it has come to my attention that more light, approximately 15 inches from the ground. I furnished a sungazer lizards have been introduced into the commercial pet heating pad in the center of the cage for autumn and winter trade. For this reason I thought it would be a good time to use, and a large dog bowl for water. Hiding places were share my observations and interactions with this species, in the provided in the form of two clay tiles, 24 inches long, cut in hope that others might benefit from my experience in keeping half lengthwise, to serve as burrows. These lizards live in these lizards. As you may be aware, there is still very little open grassland areas, and hide in underground burrows, rough- written on Cordylus giganteus, compared to other, more popu- ly three feet long, either dug by the lizards themselves, or dug lar, types of lizards. The only articles I’ve seen in herpeto- by other animals and adapted for use by the sungazers. The cultural magazines have been Switak (1995) on the genus flooring of my enclosure was floor tile, over which I placed Cordylus as a whole, and Donovan (1997) on sungazers specifi- artificial turf, except for 12 inches at the front of the enclosure. cally. The Vivarium has never published an article on the This is where I placed the water bowl and I hoped was the genus Cordylus, and popularized reptile books are general in place the animals would use for their bathroom area (they tend their information, often contradicting one another on the facts to use the same spot repeatedly for this activity).
    [Show full text]
  • Observations of Infanticide and Cannibalism in Four Species of Cordylid Lizard (Squamata: Cordylidae) in Captivity and the Wild
    Herpetology Notes, volume 14: 725-729 (2021) (published online on 21 April 2021) Observations of infanticide and cannibalism in four species of cordylid lizard (Squamata: Cordylidae) in captivity and the wild Daniel van Blerk1,†, Jens Reissig2,†, Julia L. Riley 3,†, John Measey1,*, and James Baxter-Gilbert1 Cannibalism, the consumption of conspecifics, of Africa (Reissig, 2014), from Ethiopia to South Africa is taxonomically widespread and occurs across a (latitudinally) and Angola to Ethiopia (longitudinally). diversity of reptilian species (Polis and Myers, 1985). Here, we present observations of cannibalism by four A long-standing, yet antiquated, perspective views species of cordylid lizard, two from free-living wild cannibalism as an aberrant behaviour (as discussed populations and another two from captive settings. Since in Fox, 1975), but contemporary investigations have the natural history of many cordylid species remains noted its important role in the ecology and evolution of deficient, and several species have been observed to many wild populations (Robbins et al., 2013; Cooper display reasonably high degrees of sociality, like group- et al., 2015; Van Kleek et al., 2018). Examples of this living in Armadillo Lizards, Ouroborus cataphractus include habitat partitioning and optimising resource (Boie, 1828) (Mouton, 2011) and Sungazers, Smaug availability, as seen in juvenile Komodo Dragons, giganteus (Smith, 1844) (Parusnath, 2020), these Varanus komodoensis Ouwens, 1912, taking to the trees observations provide important insights
    [Show full text]
  • African Herp News
    African Herp News Newsletter of the Herpetological Association of Africa Number 55 DECEMBER 2011 HERPETOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF AFRICA http://www. wits.ac.za/haa FOUNDED 1965 The HAA is dedicated to the study and conservation of African reptiles and amphibians. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in the African herpetofauna. Members receive the Association’s journal, African Journal of Herpetology (which publishes review papers, research articles, and short communications – subject to peer review) and African Herp News , the Newsletter (which includes short communications, natural history notes, geographical distribution notes, herpetological survey reports, venom and snakebite notes, book reviews, bibliographies, husbandry hints, announcements and news items). NEWSLETTER EDITOR ’S NOTE Articles shall be considered for publication provided that they are original and have not been published elsewhere. Articles will be submitted for peer review at the Editor’s discretion. Authors are requested to submit manuscripts by e-mail in MS Word ‘.doc’ or ‘.docx’ format. COPYRIGHT: Articles published in the Newsletter are copyright of the Herpetological Association of Africa and may not be reproduced without permission of the Editor. The views and opinions expressed in articles are not necessarily those of the Editor . COMMITTEE OF THE HERPETOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF AFRICA CHAIRMAN Aaron Bauer, Department of Biology, Villanova University, 800 Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, Pennsylvania 19085, USA. [email protected] SECRETARY Jeanne Tarrant, African Amphibian Conservation Research Group, NWU. 40A Hilltop Road, Hillcrest 3610, South Africa. [email protected] TREASURER Abeda Dawood, National Zoological Gardens, Corner of Boom and Paul Kruger Streets, Pretoria 0002, South Africa. [email protected] JOURNAL EDITOR John Measey, Applied Biodiversity Research, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, South African Biodiversity Institute, P/Bag X7, Claremont 7735, South Africa.
    [Show full text]
  • Cordylus Cataphractus): Fifteen Years of Captive Observations Gary Fogel [email protected]
    Bull. Chicago Herp. Soc. 38(6):113-119, 2003 The Art of Armadillo Lizards (Cordylus cataphractus): Fifteen Years of Captive Observations Gary Fogel [email protected] This article is a look back at my personal experiences over hibernate. They can be a light brown to dark brown in color- the past fifteen years during which I have been keeping and ation and are sometimes referred to with the common name of breeding armadillo lizards, Cordylus cataphractus. For you golden armadillo lizard. The underbelly is yellow with a black- scientific types, I’m afraid this will all be hearsay and anec- ish pattern, especially under the chin. They are one of compar- dotal. Written reports on these little beasts are few and far atively few live-bearing lizards --- they do not lay eggs like most between. As far as the general population is concerned, many other lizard species. They are insect eaters and have an inter- people might not even know that armadillo lizards exist. Even esting defense, in that if frightened, they will grab their tail in in this day and age of Internet knowledge, no one in America their mouth and roll into a ball (Figure 1). This behavior is seems to have written any definitive article on the armadillo remarkably like that of the mammalian armadillo, which ex- lizard. After years of waiting for someone else to do it, I have plains the common English name for these lizards. And just as finally decided to do it myself. Here within these pages should it does for the mammal, this defensive posture enables the be everything you ever wanted to know about Cordylus cata- lizard to protect its soft underbelly from predators, exposing phractus, as my life and theirs have been forever intertwined only its armored back.
    [Show full text]
  • Generic Relationships Within Cordyliformes (Reptilia . Squamata)
    I I BULLETIN DE L'INSTITUT ROYAL DES SCIENCES NATURELLES DE BELGIQUE, BIOLOGIE, 61:121-188, 199 1 BULLETIN VAN HET KONINKL!JK BELGISCH INSTITUUT YOOR NATUURWETENSCHAPPEN, BIOLOGIE, 61:121-1 88, 1991 Generic relationships within Cordyliformes (Reptilia . Squamata) by Mathias LANG Table of Contents comorpha as the sister-taxon of Scincidae is accepted. A phylogenetic hypothesis of generic relationships is proposed based on 74 character complexes. Within Gerrhosauridae, the Madagascan clade Trachelop­ Abstract . 121 tychus-Zonosaurus represents a single speciation event coinciding with Zusammenfassung . 12 1 the separation of Madagascar from Africa. Within African gerrhosau­ Introduction : Historical Review of the taxonomy and proposed rids, the monotypic Angolosaurus is regarded as the earliest diverging affinities of Cordylidae + Gerrhosauridae 122 taxon. Gerrhosaurus is the sister-taxon to a Cordylosaurus-Tetradac­ Monophyly of Cordylidae + Gerrhosauridae 123 tylus clade. Within the purely African Cordylidae, the serpentine Cha­ Goals and problems of this study 124 maesaura is the earliest diverging taxon. Cordylus is the sister-taxon Material and Methods . 124 to a Platysaurus-Pseudocordylus clade. A new classification is propo­ Specimens . 124 sed based on these phylogenetic patterns. This classification parallels Outgroup comparison 124 taxonomic categories within the Scincomorpha. Biogeographical pat­ Systematic Characters 125 terns are evaluated in light of the proposed phylogeny and compared Scale characters 126 with Chamaeleonidae,
    [Show full text]
  • A Review of Cordylus Machadoi (Squamata: Cordylidae) in Southwestern Angola, with the Description of a New Species from the Pro-Namib Desert
    Zootaxa 4061 (3): 201–226 ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition) http://www.mapress.com/j/zt/ Article ZOOTAXA Copyright © 2016 Magnolia Press ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition) http://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4061.3.1 http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:719E677E-45E4-40A1-BE1D-5030CFB421CD A review of Cordylus machadoi (Squamata: Cordylidae) in southwestern Angola, with the description of a new species from the Pro-Namib desert EDWARD L. STANLEY1,7, LUIS M. P. CERÍACO2,7, SUZANA BANDEIRA3, HILARIA VALERIO3, MICHAEL F. BATES4 & WILLIAM R. BRANCH5,6 1Department of Vertebrate Zoology and Anthropology, California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco 94118, USA 2Museu Nacional de História Natural e da Ciência, Universidade de Lisboa, Rua da Escola Politécnica, 58, 1269-102 Lisbon, Portugal 3Instituto Nacional da Biodiversidade e Áreas de Conservação, Ministério do Ambiente de Angola, Centralidade do Kilamba, Rua 26 de Fevereiro, quarteirão Nimi ya Lukemi, edíficio Q11, 3º andar, Angola 4Department of Herpetology, National Museum, P.O. Box 266, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa 5Port Elizabeth Museum, P.O. Box 13147, Humewood 6013, South Africa 6Research Associate, Department of Zoology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, P.O. Box 77000, Port Elizabeth 6031, South Africa 7Department of Herpetology, Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA Corresponding author = Edward Stanley, email address [email protected] Abstract The girdled lizard genus Cordylus is represented in Angola by two species, Cordylus angolensis and C. machadoi, sepa- rated from their nearest congeners by over 700 km. Here we describe a new species, Cordylus namakuiyus sp. nov., en- demic to the arid lowlands west of the southern Angolan escarpment.
    [Show full text]
  • Population Genetics and Sociality in the Sungazer (Smaug Giganteus)
    Population genetics and sociality in the Sungazer (Smaug giganteus) Shivan Parusnath Doctoral Thesis Supervisors: Prof. Graham Alexander Prof. Krystal Tolley Prof. Desire Dalton Prof. Antoinette Kotze A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. 30th October 2020 “My philosophy is basically this, and this is something that I live by, and I always have, and I always will: Don't ever, for any reason, do anything, to anyone, for any reason, ever, no matter what, no matter where, or who, or who you are with, or where you are going, or where you've been, ever, for any reason whatsoever.” - Michael G. Scott DECLARATION I declare that this thesis is my own, unaided work. It is being submitted for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. It has not been submitted before for any degree or examination at any other University. All protocols were approved by the University of the Witwatersrand Animal Ethics Screening Committee (2014/56/B; 2016/06/30/B), and the National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute (NZG SANBI) Research, Ethics and Scientific Committee (P14/18). Permits to work with Threatened or Protected Species were granted by the South African Department of Environmental Affairs (TOPS59). Permits to collect samples in the Free State and Mpumalanga provinces were provided by Department of Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (01/34741; JM938/2017) and Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MPB. 5519) respectively. Research approval in terms of Section 20 of the Animal Diseases Act (35 of 1984) was granted by the South African Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (12/11/1/1/18).
    [Show full text]
  • Cop12 Inf. 14 (English Only/Seulement En Anglais/Únicamente En Inglés)
    CoP12 Inf. 14 (English only/Seulement en anglais/Únicamente en inglés) CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA ____________________ Twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties Santiago (Chile), 3-15 November 2002 Strategic and administrative matters Committee reports and recommendations NOMENCLATURE COMMITTEE REPORT This document is being distributed at the request of the Chairman of the Nomenclature Committee. CoP12 Inf. 14 – p. 1 CITES STANDARD REFERENCE FOR THE SPECIES OF CORDYLUS (Cordylidae, Reptilia) PREPARED AT THE REQUEST OF THE CITES NOMENCLATURE COMMITTEE. Foreword The scope of the lizard genus Cordylus Laurenti remains sub judice. A recent molecular study of the Family Cordylidae (Frost et al., 2001) suggests that Pseudocordylus A. Smith and Chamaesaura Schneider are nested within Cordylus Laurenti, and should therefore be regarded as junior synonyms of that genus. However, an ongoing expended molecular study suggests that it may be desirable to partition Cordylus sensu lato into several discrete genera, which could result in the reinstatement of Chamaesaura (Mouton, pers. comm.). For the purposes of the present exercise, Cordylus is taken, in the sense of the CITES Appendices, as including the nominal genera Pseudocordylus and Hemicordylus (Crag Lizards), but Chamaesaura (Grass Lizards) is excluded because it was never listed on the CITES Appendices. Cordylus Laurenti Cordylus Laurenti, 1768, Synops. Rept.: 51. Type species by tautonomy: Lacerta cordylus Linnaeus. Zonurus Merrem, 1820, Tent. Syst. Amphib.: 57. Type species by monotypy: Lacerta cordylus Linnaeus. Pseudocordylus A. Smith, 1838, Mag. nat. Hist. (2) 2: 32. Type species (Loveridge, 1944): Cordylus (Pseudocordylus) montanus A. Smith = P. microlepidotus (Cuvier).
    [Show full text]
  • NC2006 (Fauna) Doc. 8 (English Only/Únicamente En Inglés/Seulement En Anglais)
    NC2006 (fauna) Doc. 8 (English only/Únicamente en inglés/Seulement en anglais) CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA ____________ Nomenclature Committee Fauna Lima (Peru), 10 July 2006 CORDYLUS REFERENCE UPDATE 1. This document has been submitted by the zoologist of the Nomenclature Committee. 2. The Cordylus Checklist has been updated by Donald G. Broadley in May 2006. The only change suggested refers to the recognition of one new species, Cordylus meculae BRANCH, ROEDEL & MARAIS, 2005, and the respective reference being added to the list of references in the end of the document. NC2006 (fauna) Doc. 8 – p. 1 NC2006 (fauna) Doc. 8 Annex CITES Standard Reference for the Species of Cordylus (Cordylidae, Reptilia) compiled by Donald G. Broadley at the request of the CITES Nomenclature Committee Update 2006 Foreword The scope of the lizard genus Cordylus Laurenti remains sub judice. A recent molecular study of the Family Cordylidae (Frost et al., 2001) suggests that Pseudocordylus A. Smith and Chamaesaura Schneider are nested within Cordylus Laurenti, and should therefore be regarded as junior synonyms of that genus. However, an ongoing expended molecular study suggests that it may be desirable to partition Cordylus sensu lato into several discrete genera, which could result in the reinstatement of Chamaesaura (Mouton, pers. comm.). For the purposes of the present exercise, Cordylus is taken, in the sense of the CITES Appendices, as including the nominal genera Pseudocordylus and Hemicordylus (Crag Lizards), but Chamaesaura (Grass Lizards) is excluded because it was never listed on the CITES Appendices. Cordylus Laurenti Cordylus Laurenti, 1768, Synops.
    [Show full text]
  • Another Angolan Namib Endemic Species: a New Nucras Gray, 1838 (Squamata: Lacertidae) from South-Western Angola 1,2William R
    Offcial journal website: Amphibian & Reptile Conservation amphibian-reptile-conservation.org 13(2) [Special Section]: 82–95 (e199). urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:63D950B1-10B3-4EC1-B4E6-8558F5618DF6 Another Angolan Namib endemic species: a new Nucras Gray, 1838 (Squamata: Lacertidae) from south-western Angola 1,2William R. Branch, 1,3,*Werner Conradie, 4,5,6Pedro Vaz Pinto, and 7,8Krystal A. Tolley 1Port Elizabeth Museum, P.O. Box 13147, Humewood, Port Elizabeth 6013, SOUTH AFRICA 2Department of Zoology, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth 6031, SOUTH AFRICA 3School of Natural Resource Management, George Campus, Nelson Mandela University, George 6530, SOUTH AFRICA 4Fundação Kissama, Rua 60 Casa 560, Lar do Patriota, Luanda, ANGOLA 5CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, Vairão, PORTUGAL 6TwinLab CIBIO/ISCED, Instituto Superior de Ciências da Educação da Huíla, Rua Sarmento Rodrigues s/n, Lubango, ANGOLA 7South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, Private Bag X7, Claremont 7735, Cape Town, SOUTH AFRICA 8Centre for Ecological Genomics and Wildlife Conservation, Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, 2000, Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA Abstract.—A new endemic Sandveld Lizard, genus Nucras, is described from south-western Angola. Morphologically it resembles members of the Nucras tessellata group, but it is genetically separated and is sister to the larger tessellata + lalandii group. Although the genus is generally very conservative morphologically, the new species differs from other congeners in a combination of scalation, overall dorsal color pattern, and geographic separation. The new species is known from fewer than 12 specimens collected over a period spanning 120 years from arid south-western Angola.
    [Show full text]
  • Catalog of the Family Cordylidae
    Catalog of the Family Cordylidae Harold De Lisle 2016 Cover photo : Platysaurus orientalis, by Nilsroe CC BY-SA 4.0 Back cover : Ouroborus cataphractus in defence posture, by Hardaker Email: [email protected] CONTENTS INTRODUCTION …............................................................................. 1 CATALOG ….......................................................................................... 6 ACKNOWLEGEMENTS …................................................................. 20 REFERENCES . …................................................................................. 21 TAXON INDEX …................................................................................... 32 The Cordylidae is a family of small to medium-sized lizards that occur in southern and eastern Africa. They are commonly known as girdled lizards, spinytail lizards or girdle-tail lizards. Cordylid lizards are diurnal and mainly insectivorous. They are terrestrial, mostly inhabiting crevices in rocky terrain, although at least one species digs burrows and another lives under exfoliating bark on trees, and one genus lives mainly on grassy savannahs. They have short tongues covered with long papillae, flattened heads and bodies. The body scales possess osteoderms and have large, rectangular, scales, arranged in regular rows around the body and tail. Many species have rings of spines on the tail, that aid in wedging the animal into sheltering crevices, and also in dissuading predators. The body is often flattened, and in most species is box-like on cross-section,
    [Show full text]