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Muller's velvet gecko

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Homopholis mulleri
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Gekkonidae
Genus: Homopholis
Species:
H. mulleri
Binomial name
Homopholis mulleri
Visser, 1987
Synonyms[2]
  • Homopholis mulleri
    Visser, 1987
  • Platypholis mulleri
    Kluge, 1993
  • Homopholis mulleri
    — Kluge & Nussbaum, 1995

Muller's velvet gecko (Homopholis mulleri) is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to South Africa.[1]

Etymology

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The specific name, mulleri, is in honor of South African amateur herpetologist Douglas Muller.[3]

Geographic range

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H. mulleri is found in the province of Limpopo, South Africa.[4]

Habitat

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The preferred habitat of H. mulleri is open veld, where it shelters in holes and under the loose bark of trees such as Sclerocarya birrea and Senegalia nigrescens.[2][4]

Description

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Dorsally, H. mulleri is light brown to dark gray, with darker and lighter markings. Ventrally, it is white.[4]

Females may attain a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 8.1 cm (3.2 in). Males are smaller, attaining 7.1 cm (2.8 in) SVL.[4]

Reproduction

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H. mulleri is oviparous.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b Tolley, K.A.; Alexander, G.J.; Conradie, W.; Pietersen, D.; Weeber, J. (2022). "Homopholis mulleri". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022: e.T10235A197398514. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Species Homopholis mulleri at The Reptile Database
  3. ^ 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. (Homopholis mulleri, p. 185).
  4. ^ a b c d 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. (Homopholis mulleri, p. 245 + Plate 90).

Further reading

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  • Broadley, Donald G.; Jackman, Todd R.; Bauer Aaron M. (2014). "A review of the genus Homopholis Boulenger (Reptilia: Squamata: Gekkonidae) in southern Africa". African Journal of Herpetology 63 (2): 109–126.
  • Visser J (1987). "A new Homopholis (Sauria, Gekkonidae) from the northern Transvaal with a discussion of some generic characters". South African Journal of Zoology 22 (2): 110–114. (Homopholis mulleri, new species). (in English, plus abstract in Afrikaans).