Tetradactylus fitzsimonsi

Tetradactylus fitzsimonsi
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Family:	Gerrhosauridae
Genus:	Tetradactylus
Species:	T. fitzsimonsi
Binomial name
Tetradactylus fitzsimonsi Hewitt, 1915
IUCN range   Extant (resident)
Synonyms[2]
Tetradactylus fitzsimonsi Hewitt, 2015 Tetradactylus africanus fitzsimonsi — V. FitzSimons, 1943 Tetradactylus fitzsimonsi — Bates et al., 2014

Tetradactylus fitzsimonsi, commonly known as Fitzsimons' long-tailed seps and FitzSimons' whip lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Gerrhosauridae. The species is endemic to South Africa.^[2]

Etymology

The specific name, fitzsimonsi, is in honour of Irish-born South African herpetologist Frederick William FitzSimons.^[3]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitats of T. fitzsimonsi are grassland and shrubland.^[1]

Description

T. fitzsimonsi has no front legs. Its hind legs are minute, with only one toe on each foot.^[2] Adults may attain a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of about 8 cm (3.1 in) and a total length (including a long tail) of about 34 cm (13 in).^[4]

Reproduction

T. fitzsimonsi is oviparous. A clutch of 2–5 eggs is laid in a live ant nest (Anochetus faurei). Communal nesting has been observed. Each egg measures about 1.5 cm × 1.0 cm (0.59 in × 0.39 in). Each hatchling has a total length (including tail) of about 12.5 cm (4.9 in).^[4]

References

1. Conradie, W.; Tolley, K.A.; Weeber, J.; Pietersen, D.; Alexander, G.J. (2022). "Tetradactylus fitzsimonsi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022: e.T110221422A197427541. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T110221422A197427541.en. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
2. "Tetradactylus fitzsimonsi ". The Reptile Database. Retrieved 2007-12-30.
3. Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Tetradactylus africanus fitzsimonsi, p. 91).
4. Branch, Bill (2004). Field Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of Southern Africa. Third Revised edition, Second impression. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 399 pp. ISBN 0-88359-042-5. (Tetradactylus africanus fitzsimonsi, p. 182 + Plate 50).

Further reading

• Bates MF, Branch WR, Bauer AM, Burger M, Marais J, Alexander GJ, de Villiers MS (editors) (2014). Atlas and Red List of the Reptiles of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Suricata 1. Pretoria: South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). xvii + 485 pp. ISBN 978-1-919976-84-6. (Tetradactylus fitzsimonsi, p. 234).
• FitzSimons VF (1943). The Lizards of South Africa. Transvaal Museum Memoir No. 1. Pretoria: Transvaal Museum. xvi + 528 pp. (Tetradactylus africanus fitzsimonsi, new taxonomic status, p. 297).
• Hewitt J (1915). "Descriptions of two new South African lizards, Tetradactylus levicauda and T. fitzsimonsi ". Annals of the Transvaal Museum 5 (2): 101–103. (Tetradactylus fitzsimonsi, new species).