Re: Lizard Identification
Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2021 7:28 pm
Gerrhosaurus auritus appears to be closely related to G. nigrolineatus, but morphologically it is distinguishable by its broad and crescentic (versus narrow) tympanic shield, smooth (versus keeled) lateral scales, and lack (versus presence) of distinct dorsolateral stripes in adults (Loveridge 1942; FitzSimons 1943; Broadley 2007). Its back is usually pale brown, often with 3–4 narrow, pale, black-bordered dorsolateral stripes (Broadley 1966; Branch 1998; Fig. 13). The type locality of G. auritus is Ondonga, Ovamboland, northern Namibia, but the species also occurs in southern Angola, south-western Zambia (where our single sample is from ― Table 1), Botswana, western Zimbabwe and northern Limpopo Province in South Africa (Loveridge 1942; FitzSimons 1943; Broadley 1966; Visser 1984 a; Broadley & Rasmussen 1995; Branch 1998; Broadley & Cotterill 2004; Adolphs 2006, 2013; Bates et al. in press.). The four species G. nigrolineatus, G. intermedius, G. auritus and G. bulsi, and possibly the morphologically and geographically allied form G. multilineatus (if valid, see below), constitute the ‘ G. nigrolineatus species complex’ with a widespread distribution in Africa.
FIGURE 13. Gerrhosaurus auritus from near Kome Pan, Botswana. (Photo: W.D. Haacke)
http://treatment.plazi.org/id/CC6587F70 ... 629F5DFE90
FIGURE 13. Gerrhosaurus auritus from near Kome Pan, Botswana. (Photo: W.D. Haacke)
http://treatment.plazi.org/id/CC6587F70 ... 629F5DFE90
