Hemicordylus

Hemicordylus, the false girdled lizards, is a genus comprising two lizard species endemic to the Cape Fold Belt of southern South Africa.

Hemicordylus
H. capensis in the Hottentots-Holland
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Cordylidae
Genus: Hemicordylus
Smith, 1838

Description

Their maximum snout-to-vent length is about 76 mm. They have gracile features, with a phenotype which is 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.[1] The melanistic populations have been shown to be ecotypes rather than relics in the related genus Karusasaurus.[2]

Habits

Their specialized adaptation to steep rock faces, is believed to have favoured their agility and lightly armored anatomy.[1][3] They give live birth to 1–3 young.[1]

Species
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References
  1. Hemicordylus resurrected: Stanley, Edward L.; et al. (2011). "Between a rock and a hard polytomy: Rapid radiation in the rupicolous girdled lizards (Squamata: Cordylidae)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 58: 53–70. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2010.08.024. PMID 20816817.
  2. Engelbrecht, Hanlie M.; P. le Fras N. Mouton; Savel R. Daniels (2011). "Are Melanistic Populations of the Karoo Girdled Lizard, Karusasaurus polyzonus, Relics or Ecotypes? A Molecular Investigation". African Zoology. Zoological Society of Southern Africa. 46 (1): 146–155. doi:10.3377/004.046.0105.
  3. Eifler et al., 2007; Janse van Rensburg, 2009; Janse van Rensburg et al., 2009
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