Biology:Nucras lalandii

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Short description: Species of lizard

Nucras lalandii
File:Lacerta lalandii - kop - 1700-1880 - Print - Iconographia Zoologica - Special Collections University of Amsterdam - UBA01 IZ12400071.tif
Scientific classification edit
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Lacertidae
Genus: Nucras
Species:
N. lalandii
Binomial name
Nucras lalandii
(Milne-Edwards, 1829)
Synonyms[1]
  • Lacerta lalandii
    Milne-Edwards, 1829
  • Eremias (Nucras) lalandii
    — Gray, 1838
  • Lacerta delalandii
    — A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1839
  • Bettaia delalandii
    — Bedriaga, 1886
  • Nucras delalandii
    — Boulenger, 1887
  • Nucras lalandii
    — Boycott, 1992

Nucras lalandii, also known commonly as Delalande's sandveld lizard, Delalande's spotted lizard, and Laland's lizard, is a species of wall lizard in the family of true lizards (Lacertidae). The species is native to Southern Africa.

Etymology

The specific name, lalandii, is in honor of French Naturalist Pierre Antoine Delalande.[2]

Geographic range

L. lalandii is found in Eswatini, Lesotho, and South Africa .[3][1]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitats of N. lalandii are grassland, shrubland, and savanna, at altitudes from sea level to 2,300 m (7,500 ft).[3]

Description

N. lalandii is a large and heavy-bodied species for its genus. Adults usually have a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 7.5–9.5 cm (3.0–3.7 in), but can grow to slightly more than 10 cm (3.9 in) in SVL.[4]

Behavior

A terrestrial species, N. lalandii shelters under rocks or in burrows.[3]

Reproduction

N. lalandii is oviparous.[1] Clutch size is 3–9 eggs. Each egg measures on average 11 mm x 17.5 mm (0.43 in x 0.69 in). The eggs hatch in late January and early February. Each hatchling measures about 8 cm (3.1 in) in total length (including tail).[4]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Nucras lalandii at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 14 May 2019.
  2. Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN:978-1-4214-0135-5. (Nucras lalandii, p. 68).
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named iucn status 18 November 2021
  4. 4.0 4.1 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. (Nucras lalandii, pp. 168–169 + Plate 61).

Further reading

  • Boulenger GA (1887). Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum (Natural History). Second Edition. Volume III. Lacertidæ .... London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xii + 575 pp. + Plates I–XL. (Nucras delalandii, new combination, pp. 53–54).
  • Milne-Edward 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 + Plates 5–8. (Lacerta lalandii, new species, p. 84 + Plate 5, figure 6; Pl. 7, fig. 6; Pl. 8, fig. 5). (in French and Latin).


Wikidata ☰ Q5078162 entry