Ophisops elegans

Ophisops elegans
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Sauria
Infraorder: Scincomorpha
Family: Lacertidae
Genus: Ophisops
Species: O. elegans
Binomial name
Ophisops elegans
Ménétriés, 1832

Ophisops elegans, commonly known as the snake-eyed lizard, is a species of lacertid lizard endemic to the Mediterranean region and Central Asia.

Description

Head moderate, feebly depressed. Upper head-shields smooth or slightly rugose; nostril lateral, pierced between on upper and a lower nasal, and followed by one or two postnasals; frontonasal single; four supra-oculars, first and fourth very small, the two principal separated from the supraciliaries by a series of granules: occipital small, in contact with or separated from the interparietal; subocular bordering the lip, normally between the fourth and fifth upper labials; temporal scales small, smooth; usually two large supratemporal shields bordering the parietal; a large tympanic shield. A. gular fold may be distinguishable; collar absent or feebly marked. Dorsal scales variable in size, as large as or larger than the laterals; 30 to 40 scales round the middle of the body, ventrals included. A more or less enlarged postero-median preanal plate. The hind limb reaches about the ear in the male, the shoulder or a little beyond in the female. 7 to 12 (usually 9 to 11) femoral pores on each side. Tail about twice as long as head and body. Olive or bronzy above, with black spots usually forming longitudinal series, sometimes forming a network; frequently and or two light longitudinal streaks on each side; lower surfaces white.[1]

From snout to vent 2 inches; tail 4.

Distribution

E Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, SE Bulgaria, NE Greece (Lesbos, Limnos, Chios, Samos, Samothraki, Agathonisi, Psara), Cyprus, Turkey, Algeria, Libya, Egypt,[2] W Syria, Lebanon, Israel, W Jordan, Iraq, Iran (Kavir desert), N Pakistan, NW India Races

O. e. basoglui: S Anatolia
O. e. blanfordi: Pakistan
O. e. centralanatolia: C Anatolia
O. e. ehrenbergi: Kalymnos, Lesbos etc.
O. e. elegans: Turkey (including Anatolia)
O. e. macrodactylus: W Turkey, Greece (Lesbos etc.)
O. e. schlueteri: Cyprus

Type locality: Baku, Azerbaijan.

References

  1. ↑ Boulenger, G. A. 1890. Fauna of British India. Reptilia an Batrachia.
  2. ↑ Baha el Din, Sherif (2006). A Guide to Reptiles & Amphibians of Egypt. Cairo: The American University in Cairo Press. ISBN 978-9774249792.

Notes

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