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Agama planiceps

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Agama planiceps
Male
Female
Damaraland, Namibia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Agamidae
Genus: Agama
Species:
A. planiceps
Binomial name
Agama planiceps
Peters, 1862
female

The Namib rock agama (Agama planiceps) is a species of agamid lizard that is native to granite rocky outcrops in northwestern Namibia and southwestern Angola.

Range

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They occur in Benguela and Namibe provinces of Angola, and in Damaraland and the Kaokoveld region of Namibia.[2]

Description

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They exhibit a striking sexual dimorphism,[2] with males in contrasting orange and blue colours, and the females dappled and checkered in brown, grey and yellow.

Behaviour

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In summer, males court females by running in circles around them while head-bobbing.[3]

Predation

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The black mongoose also occurs in isolated granite kopjes of this region, and is a known predator of these agamas. The mongooses are most successful during early mornings on cold days when the agamas are less mobile.[4] Other predators include hornbills and rock kestrels. Up to 30% of the adult agamas may have broken tails.[4]

References

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  1. ^ Bauer, A.M., Becker, F. & Ceríaco, L.M.P. (2020). "Agama planiceps". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020. IUCN: e.T17450843A17450863. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T17450843A17450863.en. S2CID 242658268.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ a b Hallermann, Jacob; Uetz, Peter. "Agama planiceps PETERS, 1862". The Reptile Database. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  3. ^ Carter, A. J.; Goldizen, A. W.; Tromp, S. A. (8 April 2010). "Agamas exhibit behavioral syndromes: bolder males bask and feed more but may suffer higher predation". Behavioral Ecology. 21 (3): 655–661. doi:10.1093/beheco/arq036. hdl:10.1093/beheco/arq036.
  4. ^ a b Cowley, T.; Cunningham, P. (2004). "Agama planiceps PETERS, 1862 as prey item for Black Mongoose Galerella (sanguinea) nigrata [Short Note]" (PDF). Herpetozoa. 17 (1/2): 86. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
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