Leonese rock lizard explained

The Leonese rock lizard (Iberolacerta galani), also known as Galan's rock lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is indigenous to Spain.

Geographic range

The species I. galani is endemic to the Montes de León in northwestern Spain.

Etymology

Its specific name, galani, honors the Corunnan herpetologist Dr. Pedro Galán Regalado[1] for his lifelong dedication to the study of the Iberian herpetofauna and natural history in general.[2]

Description

This species, I. galani, is characterized by its relatively large size. It is the biggest species of Iberolacerta with females reaching 84mm snout-to-vent length (SVL). It is also characterized by a high number of blue ocelli on the shoulders, and the relatively frequent contact or near-contact between the supranasal and the first loreal scale.

Habitat

The Leonese rock lizard inhabits rocky supraforestal (above the tree line) habitats, at, with a high-mountain climate.

Reproduction

I. galani is oviparous.[3]

Notes and References

  1. [species:Bo Beolens|Beolens, Bo]
  2. Description of a new endemic species of mountain lizard from Northwestern Spain: Iberolacerta galani sp. nov. (Squamata: Lacertidae). Zootaxa. 1–55. 1240. 1240. 2006. Arribas. Oscar. Carranza. Salvador. species:Salvador Carranza. Odierna. Gaetano. species:Gaetano Odierna. 10.5281/zenodo.172862.
  3. www.reptile-database.org.