Hemicordylus capensis
| Cape Cliff Lizard | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Cordylidae |
| Genus: | Hemicordylus |
| Species: | H. capensis
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| Binomial name | |
| Hemicordylus capensis (Smith, 1838)
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| Synonyms | |
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The Cape Cliff Lizard (Hemicordylus capensis) is a lizard species endemic to the Cape Fold Belt of southern South Africa.
Description
[edit]The maximum snout-to-vent length is about 76 mm. Like its sister species Hemicordylus nebulosus, it has gracile features, with a phenotype described as intermediate between typical Cordylus and the larger, more robust Pseudocordylus. They have long limbs, and long slender digits. Some populations are melanistic and sexually dichromatic.
Habits
[edit]Their specialized adaptation to steep rock faces is believed to have favoured their agility and lightly armored anatomy.[2] They give live birth to one to three young.
References
[edit]- ^ Bates, M.F. (2018). "Hemicordylus capensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T110160470A115675522. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T110160470A115675522.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
- ^ Eifler et al., 2007; Janse van Rensburg, 2009; Janse van Rensburg et al., 2009
- Hemicordylus resurrected: Stanley et al, 2011, Between a rock and a hard polytomy: Rapid radiation in the rupicolous girdled lizards (Squamata: Cordylidae)
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