Biology:Plica (lizard)

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Short description: Genus of lizards


Plica
Plica umbra.jpg
Plica umbra
Scientific classification e
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Tropiduridae
Genus: Plica
Gray, 1831
Type species
Draco plica
Linnaeus, 1758
Species

At least 8, see article.

Plica is a genus of tropidurid lizards found in South America and the Caribbean. Species in the genus Plica are arboreal, medium-sized lizards.[1]

Taxonomy

For a long time, the genus Plica was considered to include four species: two relatively widespread ones (P. plica and P. umbra) and two tepuis-associated species with narrow distributions (P. lumaria and P. pansticta). However, recent research has shown that P. plica is a cryptic species complex, and four new species were described in 2013. The species count will likely increase as there are still several undescribed species.[1]

Species

The currently recognized species are the following:[2]

  • Plica lumaria Donnelly & C. Myers, 1991
  • Plica pansticta (C. Myers & Donnelly, 2001)
  • Plica plica (Linnaeus, 1758) – collared tree runner, tree runner
  • Plica umbra (Linnaeus, 1758) – blue-lipped tree lizard, harlequin racerunner

Formerly included in Plica plica:[1]

  • Plica caribeana Murphy & Jowers, 2013 – Caribbean treerunner
  • Plica kathleenae Murphy & Jowers, 2013 – Kathleen’s treerunner
  • Plica medemi Murphy & Jowers, 2013 – Medem’s treerunner
  • Plica rayi Murphy & Jowers, 2013 – Ray’s treerunner

Nota bene: A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Plica.

References

Wikidata ☰ Q2532380 entry