Karusasaurus
| Karusasaurus | |
|---|---|
| |
| Karusasaurus polyzonus in its natural habitat | |
| |
| A more detailed close-up of K. polyzonus | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Scinciformata |
| Infraorder: | Scincomorpha |
| Family: | Cordylidae |
| Genus: | Stanley, Bauer, Jackman, Branch & Mouton, 2011[1] |
| Species | |
|
Two, see text | |
Karusasaurus, commonly known as Karusa lizards or Karusa girdled lizards, is a genus of lizards in the family Cordylidae.[2][3][4]
Its species were previously considered to be included in the genus Cordylus, but more recent studies have shown that they are distinct enough to have their own genus.[1][5]
Description and distribution
Karusasaurus contains two species,[6] which are widely distributed across the southern part of Africa, specifically, in the semi-arid areas of South Africa and Namibia.[1][7] Like all girdled lizards, they are insectivores. They come in a great range of colors, including black, red, and turquoise.[4]
Species
There are two recognized species:[6]
- Karusasaurus jordani (Parker, 1936) – Jordan's girdled lizard, Namibian girdled lizard
- Karusasaurus polyzonus (A. Smith, 1838) – Karoo girdled lizard, southern Karusa lizard
Nota bene: A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Karusasaurus.
References
- ^ a b c Stanley, Edward L.; Bauer, Aaron M.; Jackman, Todd R.; Branch, William R.; Mouton, P. Le Fras N. (2011). "Between a rock and a hard polytomy: Rapid radiation in the rupicolous girdled lizards (Squamata: Cordylidae)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 58 (1): 53–70. Bibcode:2011MolPE..58...53S. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2010.08.024. PMID 20816817.
- ^ "Karusasaurus". Catalogue of Life. Species 2000: Leiden, the Netherlands. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ^ "Karusasaurus ". iSpot. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
- ^ a b "Karusasaurus ". American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
- ^ Mouton, P.L.F.N. (2018). "Karusasaurus polyzonus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T110161123A115675844. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T110161123A115675844.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ a b Karusasaurus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 14 August 2025.
- ^ "Karusasaurus Stanley, Bauer, Jackman, Branch & Mouton, 2011". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
Further reading
- Stanley, Edward L.; Bauer, Aaron M.; Jackman, Todd R.; Branch, William R., Mouton, P. Le Fras N. (2011). "Between a rock and a hard polytomy: Rapid radiation in the rupicolous girdled lizards (Squamata: Cordylidae)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 58: 53–70 (Karusasaurus, new genus, p. 66).