Psammodromus algirus

Psammodromus algirus, known commonly as the Algerian psammodromus, the Algerian sand racer, and the large psammodromus, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is endemic to western Europe and northwestern Africa.

Psammodromus algirus

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Lacertidae
Genus: Psammodromus
Species:
P. algirus
Binomial name
Psammodromus algirus
Range
Synonyms[1]
  • Lacerta algira
    Linnaeus, 1758
  • Tropidosaura algira
    — A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1839
  • Algira (Tropidosaura) algira
    — Boettger, 1885
  • Psammodromus algirus
    — Boulenger, 1887
  • Pantodactylus nicefori
    C. Burt & M. Burt, 1931
  • Psammodromus manuelae
    Busack, Salvador & Lawson, 2006
  • Psammodromus jeanneae
    Busack, Salvador & Lawson, 2006
  • Psammodromus algirus
    — Mendes et al., 2017

Geographic range

Psammodromus algirus is found in Algeria, France, Gibraltar, Italy, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, and Tunisia.[1]

Habitat

The natural habitats of P. algirus are temperate forests, Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, sandy shores, arable land, pastureland, plantations, and rural gardens. (Miras et al. 2005)

Diet

Psammodromus algirus mainly feeds on terrestrial arthropods, specifically Orthoptera, Formicidae, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, and Araneae.[2]

Conservation status

P. algirus is threatened by habitat loss. (Miras et al. 2005)

Description

P. algirus commonly reaches a length of about 10 to 15 cm.[3]

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References
  1. Species Psammodromus algirus at The Reptile Database . www.reptile-database.org.
  2. Moreno-Rueda, G.; Melero, E.; Reguera, S.; Zamora-Camacho, F.J.; Álvarez-Benito, I. Prey availability, prey selection, and trophic niche width in the lizard Psammodromus algirus along an elevational gradient. Curr. Zool. 2018, 64, 603–613.
  3. http://www.biodiversidadvirtual.org/reptiles/Psammodromus-algirus.-img13424.html

Further reading
  • Arnold EN, Burton JA (1978). A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Britain and Europe. London: Collins. 272 pp. + Plates 1-40. ISBN 0 00 219318 3. (Psammodromus algirus, pp. 120–121 + Plate 17, figure 2 + Map 61).
  • Boulenger GA (1887). Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum (Natural History). Second Edition. Volume III. Lacertidæ ... London: Trustees of the British Museum. (Taylor and Francis, printers). xii + 575 pp. + Plates I-XL. (Psammodromus algirus, new combination, p. 50).
  • Linnaeus C (1758). Systema naturæ per regna tria naturæ, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, diferentiis, synonymis, locis. Tomus I. Editio Decima, Reformata. Stockholm: L. Salvius. 824 pp. (Lacerta algira, new species, p. 203). (in Latin).

See also


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