Mochlus sundevallii (Smith 1849)

Mochlus sundevallii, also known commonly as Peters' eyelid skink, Peters' writhing skink, and Sundevall's writhing skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to Sub-Saharan Africa.

Etymology

The specific name, sundevallii, is in honor of Swedish zoologist Carl Jakob Sundevall.^[4]

Geographic range

M. sundevallii is found in Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.^[1][2] The Reptile Database also lists Central African Republic, Sudan, and possibly South Sudan.^[2]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitats of M. sundevallii are shrubland, savanna, and forest, at altitudes from sea level to 2,000 m (6,600 ft).^[1]

Description

M. sundevallii usually has a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 6–8 cm (2.4–3.1 in), but may grow to almost 9 cm (3.5 in) SVL. Dorsally, it is grayish or light brown, with dark brown speckling. Ventrally, it is uniformly cream-colored, except for the underside of the tail, which may have speckling.^[5]

Reproduction

M. sundevallii is oviparous.^[2]

References

Mochlus sundevalli est une espèce de sauriens de la famille des Scincidae^[1].

Répartition

Cette espèce se rencontre^[1] :

• dans le nord-est de l'Afrique du Sud ;
• en Eswatini ;
• en Namibie ;
• au Botswana ;
• au Zimbabwe ;
• au Mozambique ;
• dans le sud de l'Angola ;
• dans le sud de la République démocratique du Congo ;
• en Zambie ;
• au Malawi ;
• en Tanzanie ;
• au Kenya ;
• en Somalie ;
• en Éthiopie.

Sa présence est incertaine au Soudan du Sud.

Étymologie

Cette espèce est nommée en l'honneur de Carl Jakob Sundevall (1801-1875)^[2].

Publication originale

• Smith, 1849 : Illustrations of the Zoology of South Africa; Consisting Chiefly of Figures and Descriptions of the Objects of Natural History Collected during an Expedition into the Interior of South Africa, in the Years 1834, 1835, and 1836 . vol. III. Reptilia. Part 27. London: Smith, Elder, & Co.

Notes et références