Snake-eyed lizard - Ophisops elegans schlueteri Boettger, 1880 Αλιζαύρα - Endemic subspecies to Cyprus

See also

All about Cyprus - Όλα για την Κύπρο

The eleven lizards of Cyprus - Τα έντεκα είδη σαυρών τις Κύπρου

Λίστα ερπετών και αμφίβιων της Κύπρου - List of reptiles and amphibians of Cyprus

Οι 11 σαύρες της Κύπρου (Web TV) - Του Γιώργου Κωνσταντίνου - Εφημερίδα πολίτης 21/2/2018

Order: Squamata

Family: Lacertidae

Endemic subspecies to Cyprus

Προστατεύεται από την Ευρωπαϊκή Οδηγία 92/43/ΕΚ (Παράρτημα ΙV)
Προστατεύεται από τον Κυπριακό Νόμο 153(Ι)2003 (Παράρτημα III)
Προστατεύεται από την Σύμβαση της Βέρνης (Παράρτημα ΙΙ)

The snake-eyed lizard (Ophisops elegans) is a species of lizard found in the Mediterranean region and Central Asia. Head moderate, feebly depressed. Upper head-shields smooth or slightly rugose; nostril lateral, pierced between on upper and a lower nasal, and followed by one or two postnasals; frontonasal single; four supra-oculars, first and fourth very small, the two principal separated from the supraciliaries by a series of granules: occipital small, in contact with or separated from the interparietal; subocular bordering the lip, normally between the fourth and fifth upper labials; temporal scales small, smooth; usually two large supratemporal shields bordering the parietal; a large tympanic shield. A. gular fold may be distinguishable; collar absent or feebly marked. Dorsal scales variable in size, as large as or larger than the laterals; 30 to 40 scales round the middle of the body, ventrals included. A more or less enlarged postero-median preanal plate. The hind limb reaches about the ear in the male, the shoulder or a little beyond in the female. 7 to 12 (usually 9 to 11) femoral pores on each side. Tail about twice as long as head and body. Olive or bronzy above, with black spots usually forming longitudinal series, sometimes forming a network; frequently and or two light longitudinal streaks on each side; lower surfaces white. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Subspecies

The following nine subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.

Ophisops elegans basoglui Baran & Budak, 1978

Ophisops elegans blanfordi Schmidt, 1939

Ophisops elegans budakibarani Tok, Afsar, Yakin, Ayaz & Çiçek, 2017

Ophisops elegans centralanatoliae Bodenheimer, 1944

Ophisops elegans ehrenbergerii (Wiegmann, 1835)

Ophisops elegans elegans Ménétries, 1832

Ophisops elegans macrodactylus Berthold, 1840

Ophisops elegans persicus Boulenger, 1918

Ophisops elegans schlueteri Boettger, 1880 - Endemic subspecies to Cyprus

Photos Nicosia by George Konstantinou

Rare melanistic Ophisops elegans.

Photos Arediou, 17/10/2023 by George Konstantinou.

Thanks to Demetris Kolokotronis for finding it.