Cordylus momboloensis
| Cordylus momboloensis | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Cordylidae |
| Genus: | Cordylus |
| Species: | C. momboloensis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Cordylus momboloensis Bates, Lobón-Rovira, Stanley, Branch & Vaz Pinto, 2023
| |
Cordylus momboloensis, also known as the Mombolo girdled lizard, is a species of girdled lizard in the family Cordylidae, endemic to the west-central highlands of Angola.[1][2]
Taxonomy and discovery
Cordylus momboloensis was described in 2023 following phylogenetic and morphological studies of Angolan highland Cordylus populations. It was distinguished from the closely related Cordylus angolensis by genetic divergence and a combination of morphological traits, including coloration, scalation, and eye color. The species name refers to the Maca Mombolo commune in South Kwanza, one of its known localities.[2]
Distribution and habitat
Cordylus momboloensis is known from rocky outcrops and highland habitats in the Mombolo region and surrounding areas of west-central Angola, including Taqueta Mountain (west of Caconda), Monte Verde (Sandula, ‘Mombolo’), and Uassamba (Vondo). The species is allopatric with C. angolensis and appears restricted to isolated highland inselbergs and rock formations.[3]
References
- ^ Bates, Michael F.; Lobón-Rovira, Javier; Stanley, Edward L.; Branch, William R.; Vaz Pinto, Pedro (2023). "A new species of green-eyed Cordylus Laurenti, 1768 from the west-central highlands of Angola, and the rediscovery of Cordylus angolensis (Bocage, 1895) (Squamata: Cordylidae)". Vertebrate Zoology. 73: 599–646. doi:10.3897/vz.73.e95639.
- ^ a b "Cordylus momboloensis". The Reptile Database. Retrieved 2025-05-01.
- ^ "Distribution of Cordylus momboloensis". RepFocus. Retrieved 2025-05-01.