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Ophisops elegans

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Ophisops elegans
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Lacertidae
Genus: Ophisops
Species:
O. elegans
Binomial name
Ophisops elegans

Ophisops elegans, commonly known as the snake-eyed lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is endemic to the Mediterranean region and Central Asia. There are nine recognized subspecies.

Description

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O. elegans has the following distinguishing characters: Head moderate, feebly depressed. Upper head-shields smooth or slightly rugose; nostril lateral, pierced between on upper and a lower nasal, and followed by one or two postnasals; frontonasal single; four supra-oculars, first and fourth very small, the two principal separated from the supraciliaries by a series of granules: occipital small, in contact with or separated from the interparietal; subocular bordering the lip, normally between the fourth and fifth upper labials; temporal scales small, smooth; usually two large supratemporal shields bordering the parietal; a large tympanic shield. A. gular fold may be distinguishable; collar absent or feebly marked. Dorsal scales variable in size, as large as or larger than the laterals; 30 to 40 scales round the middle of the body, ventrals included. A more or less enlarged postero-median preanal plate. The hind limb reaches about the ear in the male, the shoulder or a little beyond in the female. 7 to 12 (usually 9 to 11) femoral pores on each side. Tail about twice as long as head and body. Olive or bronzy above, with black spots usually forming longitudinal series, sometimes forming a network; frequently and or two light longitudinal streaks on each side; lower surfaces white.[2]

From snout to vent 2 inches (5 cm); tail 4 inches (10 cm).

Subspecies

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The following nine subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.[3]

Nota bene: A trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the subspecies was originally described in a genus other than Ophisops.

Etymology

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The subspecific name, schlueteri, is in honor of Wilhelm Schlüter, who was a German dealer of natural history specimens.[4]

Geographic range

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O. elegans is found in E Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, SE Bulgaria, NE Greece (Lesbos, Limnos, Chios, Romania, Samos, Samothraki, Agathonisi, Psara), Cyprus, Turkey, Algeria, Libya, Egypt,[5] W Syria, Lebanon, Israel, W Jordan, Iraq, Iran (Kavir desert), N Pakistan, NW India.

Races:

  • O. e. basoglui – S Anatolia
  • O. e. blanfordi – Pakistan
  • O. e. centralanatolia – C Anatolia
  • O. e. ehrenbergi – Kalymnos, Lesbos etc.
  • O. e. elegans – Turkey (including Anatolia)
  • O. e. macrodactylus – W Turkey, Greece (Lesbos etc.)
  • O. e. schlueteri – Cyprus

Type locality: Baku, Azerbaijan.

Habitat

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The preferred natural habitats of O. elegans are grassland, shrubland and forest, at altitudes of 400–2,000 m (1,300–6,600 ft).[1]

Reproduction

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O. elegans is oviparous.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b Aghasyan, A.; Ananjeva, N.B.; Cogălniceanu, D.; Lymberakis, P.; Orlov, N.L.; Tok, C.V.; Tuniyev, B.; Ugurtas, I.H.; Werner, Y.L. (2021). "Ophisops elegans". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T157279A748060. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T157279A748060.en. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  2. ^ Boulenger GA (1890). The Fauna of British India, Including Ceylon and Burma. Reptilia and Batrachia. London: Secretary of State for India in Council. (Taylor and Francis, printers). xviii + 541 pp. (Ophisops elegans, p. 175).
  3. ^ a b Species Ophisops elegans at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
  4. ^ 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. (Ophisops elegans schlueteri, p. 235).
  5. ^ Baha el Din, Sherif (2006). A Guide to Reptiles & Amphibians of Egypt. Cairo: The American University in Cairo Press. ISBN 978-9774249792.

Further reading

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  • Bischoff W (1974). "Echsen des Kaukasus, Teil 7. Die Europäische Schlangenaugen-Eidechse Ophisops elegans Menetries 1832 ". Aquar. Terr. B21: 340-343. (in German).
  • Lantz AL (1930). "Note sur la forme typique d' O. elegans Ménétries. Bull. Mus. Géorgie 6: 31-42. (in French).
  • Ménétries E (1832). Catalogue raisonné des objets de zoologie recueillis dans un voyage au caucase et jusqu'aux frontières actuelles de la Perse. Saint Petersburg, Russia: L'Académie Impériale des Sciences de St.-Pétersbourg. 330 pp. (Ophisops elegans, new species, pp. 63-64). (in French).
  • Olgun, Kurtuluş; Tok, Cemal Varol (1999). "Ihlara Vadisi (Aksaray)'nden toplanan Ophisops elegans (Sauria: Lacertidae) ornekleri hakkinda ". Turkish Journal of Zoology 23 (Turkish Supplement 3): 807-810. (in Turkish).
  • Schlüter U (2003). "Zur Kenntnis des Westlichen Schlangenauges, Ophisops occidentalis (Boulenger 1887)". Elaphe 11 (3): 56-63. (in German).
  • Tok, Cemal Varol; Kumlutas, Yusuf; Türkozan, Oguz (1997). "On Specimens of Ophisops elegans Menetries 1832, (Sauria; Lacertidae) Collected From Hatay, Turkey". Turk. J. Zool. 21: 195-203.
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