Philochortus zolii is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is native to northern Africa.
| Philochortus zolii | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Lacertidae |
| Genus: | Philochortus |
| Species: | P. zolii
|
| Binomial name | |
| Philochortus zolii Scortecci, 1934
| |
| Synonyms | |
Taxonomy
editTrape et al. (2012) considered West African P. lhotei a junior synonym of P. zolii as its morphological characters fall within the range of variability of Egyptian P. zolii reported by Baha El Din (2006).[1][3]
Etymology
editThe specific name, zolii, is in honor of Italian diplomat Corrado Zoli, who was president of the Società geografica italiana.[4]
The specific epithet, lhotei, is in honor of French ethnographer Henri Lhote.[4]
Description
editFor a general description see the diagnosis of the genus Philochortus. Philochortus zolii differs from other species of the genus by the following combination of characters (characters of P. lhotei [=Synonym] included):[1][5][6][7]
Prefrontal scales often separated by a small subtriangular plate. Two parietals, interparietal in contact with the occipital scale. Temporal scales large, tympanum absent. 24–25 gular scales between collar and postmental shield. 4 supraoculars, often the first and fourth fragmented. Collar composed of 6 scales. 29–37 slightly keeled dorsal scales in a transversal row at midbody, those of the 4 median rows enlarged and stronger keeled. Ventrals in 6 longitudinal and 31 transversal rows. Dorsal side of the forelimbs covered by 2 or 3 large imbricate series of plates edged with black. 28–36 subdigital scales. 10–15 femoral pores are present.
Maximum snout-vent-length (SVL) 73 mm (2.9 in), average tail/SVL ratio = 2.8.
Upper head greenish grey or brownish, sides of head bluish white. Clearly striated in all ages. Back maroon with 6 sandy-white stripes. Lateral sides with streaks of large black blotches, which become more evident in adults. Limbs greenish yellow with dark marbling. Tail brilliant red in young, reddish or brownish red in adults.
Distribution
editP. zolii is known from five localities widely scattered across northern Africa. It is known in Libya from the Oasis of Elbarkat (Al Barkat) 8 km south of Ghat in Fezzan and from near Ajedabia in western Cyrenaica. In Egypt it is known from Wadi El Natrun; this subpopulation was previously misidentified as belonging to P. intermedius.[3] This account follows Trape et al. (2012) in considering a specimen from Abezou in Niger and another from near Bourem in Mali (previously considered the only known representatives of P. lhotei) as also representing P. zolii.[1]
Habitat and ecology
editThe five widely scattered records of P. zolii which also occurred only in very small populations indicate that it is a very rare species. Individuals were found restricted to semi-desert areas with grassy vegetation on sandy soil or other steppe vegetation near oases. The best known subpopulation is located in Wadi El Natrun/Egypt at the margin of salt marshes. Here it can be found climbing in microhabitats created by the halfa grass Desmostachya bipinnata and also in stands of Alhagi graecorum.[1][3]
Philochortus zolii digs burrows in the sandy soil below the clumps of grasses and uses its forelimbs to push sand out of its burrow.[3]
Reproduction
editConservation
editP. zolii is threatened by habitat loss.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f Wagner, P.; Wilms, T.; Niagate, B.; Böhme, W.; Baha El Din, S. (2013). "Philochortus zolii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013: e.T61542A16890395. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T61542A16890395.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
- ^ a b Species Philochortus zolii at The Reptile Database . www.reptile-database.org.
- ^ a b c d Baha el Din, Sherif (2006). A Guide to Reptiles & Amphibians of Egypt. Cairo: The American University in Cairo Press. ISBN 978-9774249792.
- ^ a b 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. (Philochortus lhotei, p. 157; P. zolii, p. 294).
- ^ Scortecci 1934.
- ^ Angel 1936.
- ^ Schleich et al. 1996.
Further reading
edit- Angel F (1936). "Description d'une nouvelle espèce du genre Philochortus provenant des confins Saharo-Soudanais, et tableau synoptique des espèces du genre ". Bull. Soc. Zool., Paris 61: 100-105. (Philochortus lhotei, new species). (in French).
- Scortecci G (1934). "Descrizione preliminare di una nuova specie del genere Philochortus (Philochortus zolii) della zona Gat (Missione della Reale Società Geografica)". Atti Soc. Italiana Sci. Nat. 73: 305-308. (Philochortus zolii, new species). (in Italian).
- Schleich HH, Kästle W, Kabisch K (1996). Amphibians and Reptiles of North Africa. Königstein: Koeltz Scientific Books. 627 pp. ISBN 978-3874293778. (Philochortus zolii, p. 435).
- Trape J-F, Trape S, Chirio L (2012). Lézards, crocodiles et tortues d'Afrique occidentale et du Sahara. Marseille: IRD Editions. (in French).