Heliobolus lugubris

{{Short description|Species of lizard}}

{{italictitle}}{{Speciesbox

|name = Bushveld lizard

|image = Piecemeal (47325322).jpeg

|image2 = Heliobolus_lugubris.jpeg

|image2_caption = adult and subadult

| status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1

| status_ref = {{cite iucn |author=Alexander, G.J. |author2=Tolley, K.A. |year=2021 |title=Heliobolus lugubris |volume=2021 |page=e.T196975A147689194 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T196975A147689194.en |access-date=25 February 2023}}

|taxon = Heliobolus lugubris

|authority = (A. Smith, 1838)

|synonyms = {{species list

| Lacerta lugubris | Smith, 1838{{cite journal |title=Contributions to the Natural History of Southern Africa |journal=Magazine of Natural History |year=1838 |volume=2 |page=[https://archive.org/details/cbarchive_35089_contributionstothenaturalhisto1838/page/n8 93]

|first=Andrew |last=Smith |authorlink=Andrew Smith (zoologist) | url=https://archive.org/details/cbarchive_35089_contributionstothenaturalhisto1838 }} (Lacerta lugubris, new species).

| Eremias lugubris | – Duméril & Bibron, 1839 }}

}}

Heliobolus lugubris, also known commonly as the bushveld lizard, mourning racerunner, or the black and yellow sand lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is found in Southern Africa: southern Angola, Namibia, Botswana, southwestern Zimbabwe, southern Mozambique, and south-central to northern South Africa.{{NRDB species |genus=Heliobolus |species=lugubris |access-date=25 February 2023 }}

Mimicry

Juveniles of H. lugubris are black with light spots and move with a hunched gait, mimicking the appearance of Anthia ground beetles. This mimicry is thought to discourage predation, as the beetles spray formic acid as a defense mechanism and are thus less appealing targets for predators. This is one of very few recorded examples of a vertebrate mimicking an invertebrate.{{cite journal |title=Natural selection for juvenile lizards mimicking noxious beetles |first=RB |last=Huey |first2=ER |last2=Pianka |journal=Science |volume=195 |number=4274 |pages=201–203 |date=January 1977 |doi=10.1126/science.831272 |pmid=831272|bibcode=1977Sci...195..201H }}

References

{{Reflist}}

Further reading

  • Branch, Bill (2004). Field Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of Southern Africa. Third Revised edition, Second impression. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 399 pp. {{ISBN|0-88359-042-5}}. (Heliobolus lugubris, p. 161 + Plate 57).

{{Taxonbar|from=Q6456318}}

Category:Heliobolus

Category:Lacertid lizards of Africa

Category:Reptiles of Angola

Category:Reptiles of Botswana

Category:Reptiles of Mozambique

Category:Reptiles of Namibia

Category:Reptiles of South Africa

Category:Reptiles of Zimbabwe

Category:Taxa named by Andrew Smith (zoologist)

Category:Reptiles described in 1838

{{Lacertidae-stub}}