Adolfus masavaensis WAGNER, GREENBAUM & BRANCH, 2014
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Higher Taxa | Lacertidae, Eremiadinae, Sauria, Lacertoidea, Squamata (lizards) |
Subspecies | |
Common Names | E: Western alpine meadow lizard |
Synonym | Adolfus masavaensis WAGNER, GREENBAUM & BRANCH 2014 Adolfus masavaensis — SPAWLS et al 2018: 184 |
Distribution | Kenya (Mount Elgon) Type locality: Mount Elgon, Kenya, near Koitobos Guest House [coordinates approximately: 1.040983, 34.783645], 3372 m elevation. |
Reproduction | |
Types | Holotype: ZFMK 75011 (75001 in Wagner et al. 2014), adult female; paratypes: CAS, FMNH, MCZ, ANSP |
Diagnosis | Diagnosis: This species is unique by the following combi- nation of characters: small size (SVL 38.9–55.5 mm), low number of temporal scales (3–12; Mt. Elgon: 8–12, Aber- dares: 3–5), low number of scales around midbody (19–23), and a vertebral stripe often including the occipital scale. Differential diagnosis: From A. jacksoni, the new species differs in having fewer scale rows around midbody (19– 23 versus more than 35), fewer temporal scales (3–12 large scales versus < 40 small scales), no granular scales beneath the collar (present in A. jacksoni), and a lower number of lamellae under the 4th toe (15–21 versus 22–26). From A. africanus, the new species differs in having no granular scales beneath the collar or between the supra- ciliaries and supraocular (versus granular scales present in both cases), vertebral scales not distinctly larger than those on the flanks (versus vertebral scales distinctly larger), few (3–12) and smooth temporal scales (versus many [< 40] keeled ones), and fewer collar scales (4–5 versus 7–9). From A. alleni, the new species differs mainly in its smaller snout–vent length (38.9–55.5 mm versus 54.3– 62.8 mm), the lower number of temporal scales (3–9 ver- sus 8–12), and a lower number of longitudinal dorsal scales (below 50 versus more than 50), whereas other characters are overlapping (Tab. 4) [from WAGNER et al. 2014]. |
Comment | |
Etymology | The English name of ‘Mount Elgon’ refers to the indigenous tribe of the Elgonyi who live on the southern slopes of the mountain. ‘Masava’ is the local name for Mount Elgon used by the tribes on the Ugandan side of the mountain, and is used to form the species name for the taxon described herein. |
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