Pachydactylus macrolepis FitzSimons 1939
Habitat of Pachydactylus macrolepis near Steinkopf/Südafrika.
© M. Barts.
Two females of this wonderful species.
© M. Barts.
Another female with redish coloration.
© M. Barts.
Female with brownish coloration.
© M. Barts.
Male Pachydactylus macrolepis from Springbok.
© J. Marais.
Originalbeschreibung / Original Description
Descripion of some new Species and Subspecies of Lizards from South Africa. — Ann. Transvaal Mus., 20 (1): 6, Fig. 1 — Terra typica: Namaqualand
Two specimens in the collection of the South African Museum, previously placed under typical mariequensis by Boulenger (see above), prove now to be distinctly separable, mainly on the size and form of the scales on the snout and back. The specimens in question are, a male (S.A.M. 1159: Namaqualand, J. L. Whitley, 1885) and a female (S.A.M. 2417: Springbokfontein, M. Schlechter, 1897).
Description. Nostril pierced between three nasals and first upper labial (first upper labial usually not entering nostril in mariequensis), the uppermost or nasorostral in good contact with its fellow; a moderately large (as large as or larger than any other on snout), flattened, polygonal scale placed mesially just behind nasorostrals, and separating second pair of nasals. Scales on snout large, flattened hexagonal, much larger than those on back (in mariequensis scales much smaller, granular, convex and subequal in size to those on back); on occiput scales much smaller, rounded and slightly convex (in mariequensis finely granular and convex); scales over back more or less flattened or but very slightly convex, juxtaposed, larger than on back of head; scales smallest on nape. Upper labials 8-9, lower 6-7; scales on throat very small, convex and granular; belly scales flattened, imbricate, much smaller than on back (in mariequensis belly scales only slightly smaller than scales on back). Digits with three lamellae below distal dilatation. A horizontal row of three enlarged pointed compressed scales on either side of tail near vent.
Colour (in spirit). Tawny to yellowish brown above, head uniform or finely speckled with black; five to six irregular, broad, chestnut brown, dark-edged, transverse bands on back from nape to root of tail; the first round back of head from behind the eyes, second on nape, third and fourth on back and last on rump; these cross-bands may sometimes be partially divided mesially. Tail banded, pale interspaces much narrower than brown cross-bands. Limbs light brown above with indistinct whitish spots. Lower surfaces a uniform creamy white.
Dimensions. Male (S.A.M. 1159), head and body 50,5, tail 39, length head 11,8, breadth head 9,2 mm. Female (S.A.M. 2417), head and body 52, tail missing, length head 12, breadth head 10,2 mm.