Uromastyx geyri
| Uromastyx geyri | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Uromastyx geyri, Saharan Uromastyx | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Sauria |
| Infraorder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Agamidae |
| Subfamily: | Uromasticinae |
| Genus: | Uromastyx |
| Species: | U. geyri |
| Binomial name | |
| Uromastyx geyri L. Müller, 1922 | |
Uromastyx geyri is a species of lizard belonging to the family Agamidae. The species is endemic to North Africa.
Common names
Common names for U. geyri include Geyr's dabb lizard, Geyr's spiny-tailed lizard,[1] Sahara mastigure,[1][2] Saharan spiny-tailed lizard, and Saharan Uromastyx.
Habitat
U. geyri is found in rocky, semi-arid habitats.
Geographic range
U. geyri is found in parts of Algeria, Mali, and Niger.
Etymology
The generic name, Uromastyx, is derived from the Ancient Greek words ourá (οὐρά) meaning "tail" and mastiga (μαστίγα) meaning "whip" or "scourge", after the thick-spiked tail characteristic of all Uromastyx species.
The specific name, geyri, is in honor of German zoologist Hans Geyr von Schweppenburg.[2]
Description
U. geyri is a relatively small, slender species for the genus, with an average length of around 34 cm (13 in). This lizard is usually beige or orange with lighter spots. They are one of the brightest colored species of Uromastyx, colors of this genus are the "Red" geyri and "Yellow" geyri, color being their only difference. The red phase often being nearly solid reddish to neon pumpkin orange with the yellow in or near a neon-range. Females are a more pale color than the males, showing more tan variations of the coloring and much less belly coloring as well as less vivid patterns, most females having a simple "freckling" on the back. Saharans are a medium-sized species, many averaging 11–14 in (28–36 cm) in length, and weighing 250 grams (8.8 oz) or more as adults.
Gallery
At Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Centre, UK.
References
Further reading
- Müller L. 1922. "Über eine neue Uromastix-Art aus der Zentral-Sahara [= About a new Uromastix species from the Central Sahara]". Naturwissenschaftlicher Beobachter, Frankfurt 63: 193-201. ("Uromastix [sic] geyri ", new species). (in German).