Biology:Meroles knoxii
| Meroles knoxii | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Lacertidae |
| Genus: | Meroles |
| Species: | M. knoxii
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| Binomial name | |
| Meroles knoxii (Milne-Edwards, 1829)
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| Synonyms[1] | |
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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.[2]
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.[3]
Geographic range
M. knoxii occurs in Namibia and South Africa.[1]
Habitat
The preferred natural habitat of M. knoxii is shrubland.[4]
Behavior
M. knoxii is terrestrial,[4] diurnal, and active, dashing across sandy soil from shrub to shrub.[3]
Diet
M. knoxii preys upon beetles, flies, and other insects.[3]
Reproduction
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Meroles knoxii at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 5 May 2019.
- ↑ 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).
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 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).
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Cite error: Invalid
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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.
Wikidata ☰ Q5078137 entry
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