Euspondylus guentheri

Euspondylus guentheri, Günther's sun tegus, is a species of lizard in the family Gymnophthalmidae.[2] It is endemic to Ecuador, and has also been reported from Peru[2].[1][3] The tegus lives in lowland tropical and subtropical forest habitats.[1][4]The species epithet is in honour of Albert Günther, a German-born British zoologist.[2][3] They are mostly diurnal, spending time in low branches or basking on the ground.[5] If threatened, the lizards will run for cover.[5]

Euspondylus guentheri
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Gymnophthalmidae
Genus: Euspondylus
Species:
E. guentheri
Binomial name
Euspondylus guentheri

Distribution

Sources differ on Euspondylus guentheri's altitude range; one source states it is found in altitudes of 290 to 420 m, another gives a potential distribution range of 255 to 1297 m.[3][5] They are found in central and eastern Ecuador, and have also been reported from Peru.[2][4][6]

Appearance

Males of the species usually grow to 25 cm, while females are somewhat smaller, growing around 23 cm.[5] They are pale brown in colour, (although juveniles are usually yellower) with irregular black crossbars and blotches.[3][5] They resemble Euspondylus maculatus, the spotted sun tegu, but can be differentiated from that species by colour; E. maculatus has smaller and less pervasive blotches and is generally browner and more uniform in colour.[5][7]

Protection and rarity

Euspondylus guentheri is assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN, as it is not subject to significant threat or population decline, although it may be affected by local threats such as deforestation, mining, and agricultural expansion.[1] Furthermore, the species is present in a number of protected areas.[5]

References
  1. Lehr; Doan (2016). "Euspondylus guentheri". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016. Retrieved 2022-12-18.
  2. Euspondylus guentheri at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 25 July 2019.
  3. "Reptiles del Ecuador". bioweb.bio (in Spanish). Retrieved 2022-12-18.
  4. "Euspondylus guentheri (O'Shaughnessy, 1881)". www.gbif.org. Retrieved 2022-12-18.
  5. "Günther's Sun Tegu (Euspondylus guentheri)". reptilesofecuador.com. Retrieved 2022-12-18.
  6. "Euspondylus guentheri - Encyclopedia of Life". eol.org. Retrieved 2022-12-18.
  7. "Spotted Sun Tegu (Euspondylus maculatus)". reptilesofecuador.com. Retrieved 2022-12-18.
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