Platysaurus imperator BROADLEY, 1962
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Platysaurus imperator
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| Higher Taxa | Cordylidae (Platysaurinae), Scincoidea, Sauria, Squamata (lizards) |
| Subspecies | |
| Common Names | E: Imperial Flat Lizard, Emperor Flat Lizard |
| Synonym | Platysaurus imperator BROADLEY 1962: 816 Platysaurus imperator — BROADLEY 1978 Platysaurus imperator — SCOTT et al. 2004 Platysaurus imperator — STANLEY et al. 2011 Platysaurus imperator — LIVIGNI 2013: 286 |
| Distribution | NE Zimbabwe, Mozambique Type locality: Matowa, 60 km NE of Mtoko, Rhodesia. |
| Reproduction | Oviparous |
| Types | Holotype: NMZB (given as NMSR/M) 4819, an adult male; paratype: NMW |
| Diagnosis | DIAGNOSIS. “This species is immediately distinguishable from all other forms of Platysaurus by its great size and striking coloration. Adult males measure 106-146 mm. from snout to vent, compared with 83-127 mm. for P. guttatus rhodesianus, previously the largest known form. Adult females measure 97-120 mm. from snout to vent, compared with 73-104 mm. for rhodesianus. The red and yellow coloration of the males is distinctive, as are the broad brilliant yellow stripes on the head and nape of the females (in other forms the stripes are cream in colour and not greatly emphasized anteriorly). The average transverse ventral count is consistently higher than in other forms: P. imperator has 21-28, average for 54 specimens 23•4; P. g. rhodesianus has 18-26, average for 149 specimens 21•0; P. g. subniger has 18-22, average for 76 specimens 199; counts are much lower in the smaller forms of Platysaurus. In P. guttatus and its races there are on the neck two patches of enlarged granules, subconical to spinose in shape: in P. imperator the anterior group consists of small, flat granules and the posterior group contains a few bluntly pyramidal enlarged granules. In P. imperator neither the scales on the tibia towards the heel nor the lateral caudals are spinose (spines well developed in P. guttatus and its races), and the scales on the limbs are less strongly keeled than in P. guttatus. In these characters P. imperator shows affinities with P. guttatus nyasae Loveridge, which is unfortunately known only from the two female types. Through the courtesy of Dr E. E. Williams I have been able to examine the paratype (MCZ. 50656) and this is distinguishable from P. imperator females by its smaller size, lower transverse ventral count (18), very thin continuous dorsal stripes and comparatively shorter tail. nvasae will prove to be a distinct species when more material is available.” (Broadley 1962) |
| Comment | |
| Etymology | Named after Latin imperator, commander, emperor, ruler, for its large size and striking coloration. |
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