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.

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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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