Koelliker's glass lizard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Koelliker's glass lizard |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Hyalosaurus
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| Species: |
koellikeri
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Koelliker's glass lizard (Hyalosaurus koellikeri), also called commonly the Moroccan glass lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Anguidae. The species is native to western North Africa.
Etymology
The specific name, koellikeri, is in honor of Swiss histologist Albert von Kölliker.
Geographic range
H. koellikeri is found in Algeria and Morocco.
Habitat
The natural habitats of Koelliker's glass lizard are temperate forests, shrubland, temperate grassland, and pastureland, at altitudes up to 2,000 m (6,600 ft).
Description
H. koellikeri has no fore limbs, but does have rudimentary hind limbs. Dorsally, it is brownish, with a darker lateral band. Ventrally, it is yellowish.
Taxonomy
Hyalosaurus koellikeri has often been historically included within the genus Ophisaurus, but genetic evidence has shown Hyalosaurus koellikeri to be more closely related to Anguis and Pseudopus than to Ophisaurus.
Reproduction
H. koellikeri is oviparous.
Conservation status
H. koellikeri is threatened by habitat loss.
