Pedioplanis burchelli ( Duméril & Bibron, 1839 )

Sebastian Kirchhof, Johannes Penner, Mark-Oliver Rödel & Johannes Müller, 2017, Resolution of the types, diagnostic features, and distribution of two easily confused Sand Lizards, Pedioplanis laticeps (Smith, 1845) and P. burchelli (Duméril & Bibron, 1839) (Squamata: Lacertidae), Zootaxa 4318 (1), pp. 82-109 : 97-101

Pedioplanis burchelli ( Duméril & Bibron, 1839)

Synonyms

Eremias burchelli. — Smith 1845.

Mesalina burchelli .— Szczerbak 1975. Pedioplanis burchelli .— Balletto 1968 [by implication].

We examined three specimens designated as types of Eremias burchelli Duméril & Bibron, 1839 from the BMNH collection (BMNH 1946.8.7.80–82). However, Duméril & Bibron clearly stated that they received only a single specimen from Smith ( Duméril & Bibron 1839 p. 304). Their description matches best with BMNH 1946.8.7.82 ( Fig. 5 , Table 3). However, the number of ventral scale rows counted both longitudinally ( Duméril & Bibron 1839: douzaine [twelve or around twelve]; this study 14) and transversely ( Duméril & Bibron 1839: 27 to 28; this study: 32) differ. BMNH 1946.8.7.80 is too small to be the type described by Duméril & Bibron (1839) ( Table 3). Specimen BMNH 1946.8.7.81 is not P. burchelli but P. namaquensis as it has a large tympanic shield (absent in laticeps and burchelli ) and large, distinctly keeled scales on the tibia (small and smooth in laticeps and burchelli ). In combination with the longitudinal number of ventral scale rows, lower eyelid consisting of 10–12 semitransparent scales in two rows, colour, pattern and a subocular scale bordering the lip between the 4th and 5th labial this discriminates it from all other species of Lacertidae from Southern Africa (see e.g. Branch 1998). Given the possibility that the original specimen was given to Lord Derby before being accessioned into the collection in London we also investigated specimen BMNH IV.42.b. However, it cannot be the type due to the lower number of femoral pores (10 left, 12 right), the number of transversal scale rows ( Table 3), as well as the colouration. There is no indication that Smith collected a series of specimens from the type locality, and we therefore designate in accordance with Articles 74.1. and 74.7. of the Code (ICZN, 1999), BMNH 1946.8.7.82 as the holotype of Pedioplanis burchelli ( Duméril & Bibron 1839) .

Re-description of the holotype of Eremias burchelli Duméril & Bibron, 1839 (BMNH 1946.8.7.82; previously 65.5.4.39)

We added the values from Smith´s (1845) original description in square brackets when they differed from our own measurements.

Type locality: “ l’Afrique australe” [Southern Africa] ( Duméril & Bibron 1839 p. 304).

Adult male; SVL 58 mm [head length 1.7’’ + neck 1’’ + trunk length 3’’3’’’ = 6’’ = 60 mm]; tail broken (1 piece plus remainder at the trunk: 16 mm, 90 mm = 106 mm) [11’’ = 110 mm]; 3 nasal scales on each side, only slightly bulging, the interior ones in contact with each other; 32 transverse ventral scale rows; 14 longitudinal ventral scale rows (counted at the 16th transverse ventral scale row); 68 dorsal scale rows (counted at the 16th transverse ventral scale row); prefrontals separated by 1 scale; no tympanic shield; 9/8 upper labials, 4 plus 1 extra small scale/4 of them anterior to the subocular scale [4] that borders the lip; 1 scale between the subocular and the freno-ocular; 6 lower labials; 13/14 femoral pores; 11 [around 12] enlarged scales in the collar; there is an occipital scale and an interparietal longer than broad; the 2 supraoculars are edged by small granules anteriorly, posteriorly and along the supraciliaries but not interiorly; 13 granules anterior to the supraoculars (the anterior 4 larger than the others); 4 pairs of chin shields, the anterior 3 are entirely in contact along their interior edge; 1 freno-ocular and 1 freno-nasal scale; 9/8 supraciliaries; lower eyelid with small, semi-transparent scales; 28 spiny lamellae beneath the 4th toe.

Colouration: light brown with 4 partly broken white stripes (2 lateral, 2 dorsolateral); dorsally 4 broken dark series of spots or short lines, the outer ones broader and with large grey spots; the limbs are speckled with white spots; ventral surfaces of belly, throat and limbs white.

Variations within Pedioplanis burchelli ( Duméril & Bibron, 1839)

A total of 11 individuals were examined ( Table 3).

Max. SVL: 62 mm ( BMNH 1974.2312 , adult male, Bushman Pass , Mountain Road, Lesotho).

Scalation: The 3 nasal scales on each side not or only slightly bulging, the interior ones usually meet in a suture (except in one individual where they are separated by the rostral and the frontonasal); 27 to 35 transverse ventral rows (median 33); 12 to 16 longitudinal ventral rows (median 14). The 6 to 10 pectoral scale rows are arranged in a V-shape and their numbers are substantially reduced around the armpits, after which they are aligned horizontally onto the flanks, often only gradually decreasing in size and merging into the dorsal scales.

Midbody scales smooth, arranged in 64 to 80 rows (median 70) (62 to 75 in Branch 1998, Conradie et al. 2012). In 73% of the individuals the prefrontals are not separated. Scales in the temporal region show a tendency to enlarge towards the ear opening (in case there is an enlarged scale at the anterodorsal edge of the ear opening, it is not curved and there is at least one additional row of scales separating it from the ear opening); tympanic shield and elongate scales (lobes) absent; upper labials 8 to 10, with usually 4 (5 or 6 in three individuals) being in front of the subocular scale which borders the lip; usually 1 scale between the subocular and the freno-ocular; lower labials 5 (in one individual on one side only) to 8, usually 6 or 7; femoral pores 10 to 15 on each thigh; enlarged scales in collar 8 to 13; occipital scale present; interparietal longer than broad; supraoculars 2, bordered by small granules anteriorly, posteriorly and along the supraciliaries in all individuals, inner row of granules absent. Usually less than 15 granules anterior to the supraoculars, only one individual has more than 15. Chin shields pairs 4, the first 3 are entirely in contact along their interior edge. Freno-ocular 1, freno-nasal 1, in one individual there is 1 additional scale below the freno-ocular; supraciliaries 7 to 10; lower eyelid covered with several small, semi-transparent scales.

Fore limb scales mainly small, flat and smooth, anteriorly large in a longitudinal row extending to the toes; hind limb scales small and smooth posteriorly and externally, below larger and imbricate with a row of large shieldlike plates anteriorly; tibia scales small and not keeled; soles of the hind feet covered in granular scales, each with 3 spines (one median large, two lateral small ones) directed towards the 5th toe. There are 25 to 28 spiny lamellae (mainly bi- or tricarinate, sometimes with additional diminutive carinae) beneath the 4th toe.

Colouration is variable. Specimens can be dark brown above with small whitish spots and a light-edged bifurcating vertebral band or greyish above with 4 to 5 black stripes (7 white stripes in hatchlings following Branch 1998, Conradie et al. 2012, which is not exclusive as we also found it in hatchlings of P. laticeps ). Other specimens are light brown with longitudinal series of dark brown markings consisting of narrow spots or short lines or (laterally) of broader round dark and white spots. The limbs are dark brown or grey with round whitish spots or dark-edged ocelli. The ventral surfaces of belly, throat and limbs are white.

Figures

FIGURE 5. Holotype BMNH 1946.8. 7.82 (previously 65.5.4.39) of Eremias burchelli Duméril & Bibron, 1839: (A) original drawing of the whole individual modified from Plate 45: 1 (Smith 1845); (B) dorsal view of the museum voucher; (C) ventral view; (D) dorsal head; (E) original drawing of the dorsal head modified from Plate 48: 4 (Smith 1845); (F) ventral head; (G) lateral head left; (H) original drawing of the lateral head modified from Plate 48: 4 a (Smith 1845); (I) lateral head right. Scale units 1 mm.