Plica (lizard)

Plica is a genus of tropidurid lizards endemic to South America and the Caribbean. Species in the genus Plica are arboreal, medium-sized lizards.[1]

Plica
Plica umbra
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Tropiduridae
Genus: Plica
Gray, 1831
Species

At least 8, see article.

Taxonomy

For a long time, the genus Plica was considered to include four species: two relatively widespread ones (Plica plica and Plica umbra) and two tepuis-associated species with narrow distributions (Plica lumaria and Plica pansticta). However, recent research has shown that Plica plica is a cryptic species complex, and four new species were described in 2013. The species count will likely increase as there are still several undescribed species.[1]

Species

The currently recognized species are the following:[2]

Formerly included in Plica plica:[1]

  • Plica caribeana Murphy & Jowers, 2013
  • Plica kathleenae Murphy & Jowers, 2013
  • Plica medemi Murphy & Jowers, 2013
  • Plica rayi Murphy & Jowers, 2013

Nota bene: A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Plica.

gollark: Magic, I guess.
gollark: I duplicate the HP to produce 2 HP.
gollark: Fine, I go to the shop and buy a sword and 1 HP.
gollark: What do you want to do with your $2?
gollark: But I'm actually quite low on health.

References
  1. Murphy JC, Jowers MJ (2013). "Treerunners, cryptic lizards of the Plica plica group (Squamata, Sauria, Tropiduridae) of northern South America". ZooKeys (355): 49–77. doi:10.3897/zookeys.355.5868. PMC 3867189. PMID 24363569.
  2. Plica at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 21 May 2014..


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