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Plica (lizard)

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Plica
Plica umbra
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Tropiduridae
Genus: Plica
Gray, 1831
Type species
Draco plica
Linnaeus, 1758
Species

At least 8, see article.

Plica is a genus of tropidurid lizards found in South America and the Caribbean. Species in the genus Plica are arboreal, medium-sized lizards.[1]

Taxonomy

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For a long time, the genus Plica was considered to include four species: two relatively widespread ones (P. plica and P. umbra) and two tepuis-associated species with narrow distributions (P. lumaria and P. pansticta). However, recent research has shown that P. plica is a cryptic species complex, and four new species were described in 2013. The species count will likely increase as there are still several undescribed species.[1]

Species

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The currently recognized species are the following:[2]

Formerly included in Plica plica:[1]

Nota bene: A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Plica.

References

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  1. ^ a b c Murphy JC, Jowers MJ (2013). "Treerunners, cryptic lizards of the Plica plica group (Squamata, Sauria, Tropiduridae) of northern South America". ZooKeys (355): 49–77. Bibcode:2013ZooK..355...49M. doi:10.3897/zookeys.355.5868. PMC 3867189. PMID 24363569.
  2. ^ Plica at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 21 May 2014..