Latastia longicaudata Reuss, 1834

Kirchhof, Sebastian, Wasonga, Victor, Mazuch, Tomáš, Spawls, Stephen & Malonza, Patrick Kinyatta, 2023, An annotated checklist of the herpetofauna of the Sibiloi National Park in northern Kenya based on field surveys, Amphibian & Reptile Conservation (e 324) 17 (1 / 2), pp. 1-18 : 8-9

Latastia longicaudata Reuss, 1834

Vouchers: NMK-388L (field no. SK16 1027); NMK-385L (field no. SK1034); NMK-384L (field no. SK1050) Additional tissue samples: SK110.1 2016, SK142 2016, SK158 2016, SK195 2016, SK233 2016, SK295 2017, SK303 2017, SK305 2017, SK306 2017, SK352 2017, SK481 2017

Localities: AB ( R, B, G), IL ( R, B, G), KA ( R, B), KF ( R, B), LO ( R, B)

Remarks: We recorded 33 individuals of this common diurnal lacertid ( Fig. 4M ) throughout the study period on all transects between 0800 h and 1930 h. All lizards were darting between bushes in search of prey and places for hiding. Average T b was high at 37.8 ± 1.2 °C (36.2– 39.5 °C; N = 8) at T sub ranging from 31–65 °C and T a ranging from 33–39 °C. The genus Latastia consists of multiple similar-looking species and subspecies, and in some cases, only the suspected distribution range allows for identification. Rigorous genetic analysis is necessary to update the taxonomic status, the distinguishing morphological character traits, and the distribution ranges of existing specimens.

Figures

Fig. 4. Reptile species recorded during the surveys: (A) Crocodylus niloticus; (B) Agama lionotus; (C) Agama rueppelli; (D) Holodactylus africanus; (E) Hemidactylus angulatus; (F) Hemidactylus barbierii; (G) Hemidactylus lanzai; (H) Hemidactylus ruspolii; (I) Homopholis fasciata; (J) Lygodactylus somalicus; (K) Stenodactylus sthenodactylus; (L) Heliobolus spekii; (M) Latastia longicaudata; (N) Philochortus rudolfensis; (O) Chalcides bottegi; (P) Mochlus sundevallii; (Q) Trachylepis striata; (R) Varanus albigularis; (S) Eryx colubrinus; (T) Platyceps brevis; (U) Psammophis cf. tanganicus; (V) Psammophis punctulatus; (W) Rhamphiophis rostratus; (X) Naja pallida; (Y) Bitis arietans; and (Z) Echis pyramidum.