Johnston’s Long-tailed Lizard Latastia johnstonii
Description
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Latastia johnstonii, also known commonly as Johnston's long-tailed lizard, the Malawi long-tailed lizard, and the Nyasaland long-tailed lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is native to East Africa.
Etymology
The specific name, johnstonii, is in honor of British explorer Harry Johnston.[3]
Geographic range
L. johnstonii is found in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.[2]
Habitat
The preferred natural habitats of L. johnstonii are grassland and savanna, at altitudes of 330–1,000 m (1,080–3,280 ft).[1]
Description
L. johnstonii has keeled dorsal scales, which are arranged in 39–52 rows at midbody. The tail of juveniles is red, the color fading at adulthood. Adults have a total length (including tail) of 15–20 cm (5.9–7.9 in). The tail length is 65–75% of the total length.[4]
Behavior
L. johnstonii is terrestrial,[1] diurnal, and fast-moving.[4]
Diet
L. johnstonii preys upon invertebrates.[4]
Reproduction
L. johnstonii is oviparous.[2] Clutch size is three or four eggs, and each egg measures 12 mm × 7 mm (0.47 in × 0.28 in).[4]
References
- ^ a b c Wagner P, Branch WR, Safari I, Chenga J (2021). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T21265939A21265943.en. Accessed on 08 July 2024.
- ^ a b c Latastia johnstonii at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 4 May 2019. www.reptile-database.org.
- ^ Beolens B, Watkins M, Grayson M (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Latastia johnstonii, p. 135).
- ^ a b c d Spawls S, Howell K, Hinkel H, Menegon M (2018). Field Guide to East African Reptiles, Second Edition. London: Bloomsbury Wildlife. 624 pp. ISBN 978-1-3994-0481-5. ("Latastia johnstoni [sic]", pp. 195–196).
Further reading
- Boulenger GA (1907). "Descriptions of Two new African Lizards of the Genus Latastia". Annals and Magazine of Natural History, Seventh Series 19: 392–394. ("Latastia Johnstoni [sic]", new species, pp. 392–393).
- Broadley DG, Howell KM (1991). "A check list of the reptiles of Tanzania, with synoptic keys". Syntarsus 1: 1–70. (Latastia johnstonii, p. 18).
- Loveridge A (1957). "Check List of the Reptiles and Amphibians of East Africa (Uganda; Kenya; Tanganyika; Zanzibar)". Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard College 117 (2): 151–362. ("Latastia johnstoni [sic]", pp. 231–232).
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Common Names
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Lacertidae
Genus: Latastia
Species: Johnston’s Long-tailed Lizard Latastia johnstonii
Conservation Status
least concern (LC)
Johnston’s Long-tailed Lizard Latastia johnstonii