| Hemicordylus | |
|---|---|
| |
| H. capensis in the Hottentots-Holland | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Cordylidae |
| Genus: | Hemicordylus Smith, 1838 |
Hemicordylus, the false girdled lizards, is a genus comprising two lizard species endemic to the Cape Fold Belt of southern South Africa.
Description
Their maximum snout-to-vent length is about 76 mm. They have gracile features, with a phenotype which is described as intermediate between typical Cordylus and the larger, more robust Pseudocordylus. They have long limbs, and long slender digits. Some populations are melanistic and sexually dichromatic. The melanistic populations have been shown to be ecotypes rather than relics in the related genus Karusasaurus.
Habits
Their specialized adaptation to steep rock faces, is believed to have favoured their agility and lightly armored anatomy. They give live birth to 1–3 young.
Species
- Hemicordylus capensis (Smith, 1838) – false girdled lizard
- Hemicordylus nebulosus (Mouton & van Wyk, 1995)
References
- ^ Hemicordylus resurrected: Stanley, Edward L.; et al. (2011). "Between a rock and a hard polytomy: Rapid radiation in the rupicolous girdled lizards (Squamata: Cordylidae)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 58 (1): 53–70. Bibcode:2011MolPE..58...53S. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2010.08.024. PMID 20816817.
- Engelbrecht, Hanlie M.; P. le Fras N. Mouton; Savel R. Daniels (2011). "Are Melanistic Populations of the Karoo Girdled Lizard, Karusasaurus polyzonus, Relics or Ecotypes? A Molecular Investigation". African Zoology. 46 (1). Zoological Society of Southern Africa: 146–155. doi:10.3377/004.046.0105. S2CID 84437437.
- Eifler et al., 2007; Janse van Rensburg, 2009; Janse van Rensburg et al., 2009
| Taxon identifiers | |
|---|---|
| Hemicordylus | |