Phoenicolacerta troodica
{{Short description|Species of lizard}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Troodos lizard (Phoenicolacerta troodica).jpg
| image2 = Troodos lizard (Phoenicolacerta troodica) 2.jpg
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| genus = Phoenicolacerta
| species = troodica
| authority = (Werner, 1936)
| synonyms = Lacerta laevis troodica Werner 1936
}}
Phoenicolacerta troodica, commonly known as the Troodos wall lizard, Troodos rock lizard, Troodos lizard, Cyprus lizard or Cyprus wall lizard is a species of lizard belonging to the family Lacertidae. This lizard is endemic to Cyprus.
Taxonomy
Phoenicolacerta troodica was first formally described as Lacerta laevis troodica in 1936 by the Austrian herpetologist Franz Werner with its type locality given as Platraes.{{cite journal |author=F. Werner |author-link=Franz Werner |year=1936 |title=Reptiles from Mount Troodos, Cyprus. |journal=Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London |volume=1936 |pages=655-658}} The Cyprus lizrd is now classified as a valid species within the genus Phoenicolacerta which belongs to the family Lacertidae, the African and Eurasian "typical lizards".{{NRDB species |genus=Phoenicolacerta |species=troodica |access-date=25 April 2025}}
Etymology
Phoenicolacerta troodica is classified within the gneus Phoenicolacerta, a name which prefixes the Latin word, Phoenice, meaning "Phoenicia", the coast of the Levant, where most of the species of these lizards are found, with lacerta, "a lizard".{{cite journal |author=E. Nicholas Arnold |author2= Oscar Arribas |author3=Salvador Carranza |name-list-style=& |year=2007 |title=Systematics of the Palaearctic and Oriental tribe Lacertini (Squamata: Lacertidae: Lacertinae), with description of eight new genera |journal=Zootaxa |volume=1430 |pages=1-86 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338223885_ARNOLD_E_N_ARRIBAS_O_CARRANZA_O_2007_Systematics_of_the_Palaearctic_and_Oriental_tribe_Lacertini_Squamata_Lacertidae_Lacertinae_with_description_of_eight_new_genera_Zootaxa_1430_86_pp_ISSN_1175-5326_p}} The specific name refers to the type locality being in the Troodos Mountains of Cyprus.
Description
Phoenicolacerta troodica is a small lizard with a maximum length of {{cvt|15|cm}}, although {{cvt|10|cm}} is more typical. The overall colour is brownish green to greyish green with a broad, longitudinal dark brown stripe running along the sides from the snout to the tail, with a white line along the lower margin of this stripe, separating it from the pale underside. In the breeding season the males develop orange blotches on the sides of the head and their underside also changes to orange with blue and red spots along the flanks.{{cite web |url=https://en.herpatlas.cy/species/lizards/troodos-lizard |title=Troodos lizard Phoenicolacerta troodica |access-date=25 April 2025 |website=HerpAtlas.cy}}
Distribution and habitat
Phoenicolacerta troodica is endemic to Cyprus where it is found all over the island from sea level to {{cvt|1600|m}} above sea level in a wide variety of habitats, with the availability of shade being the most important requirement.
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q4250428}}
Category:Endemic fauna of Cyprus