A genus of four African lizards of which two were included until recently in the Bedriagaia or Lacerta genera. There is little information available on them, probably at least partly because of their secretive nature.. All are highly arboreal and live high in the trees: adaptations to this life include long limbs, hooked claws and a long tail that is in at least some cases prehensile. Their common name of "Keel-Bellied Lizards" derives from their ventral keeled scalation.
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Distribution | Size | Notes |
| Gastropholis | ||||
| G. echinata | ? | Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, C Democratic Republic of the Congo (Zaire) | ?" | Reassigned from the Lacerta to the Gastropholis in 1989: see EMBL database entry for details. |
| G. prasina | Green Keel-Bellied Lizard | NE Tanzania (Tanga, Amani, Kiono Forest), SE Kenya | 16" | Striking green lizard that at first glance is reminiscent of some of the European Lacerta species. Nearly three quarters of the total body length consists of the prehensile tail. It is found in woodland, forest and thickets on or near the coastal plain from sea level up to above 3,000 ft. Deforestation makes it vulnerable. They live in holes in trees high off the ground, laying their clutches in these refuges. Dorsal scales: smooth, not overlapping, small and granular, 28-40 rows at midbody. 11-16 preanal pores. Ventral scales: keeled in 8-12 longitudinal rows. Other: 13-15 femoral pores beneath each thigh. Coloration: overall bright green, ventrally yellow-green, some turquoise around limb sockets: sometimes fine black speckled lines on flanks. Tongue bright red. Eye large with black pupil and golden iris. Reproduction: clutches of 5 eggs laid by captive (s) September-October [SKDA]. |
| G. tropidopholis | ? | C Democratic Republic of the Congo | ?" | Formerly considered a member of the Bedriagaia genus but reassigned in 1989. See EMBL database entry for details. |
| G. vittata | Striped Keel-Bellied Lizard | Coastal regions of Tanzania and N Mozambique (EMBL claims probably not on Zanzibar) | 10-14" | Medium-sized lacertid with long (70% of total length) prehensile tail. Its limbs are quite long and the rear ones stout: the digits are long and spindly with a hooked claw on each [SKDA]. Few specimens have been caught, and there is virtually no information on their reproductive cycle. G. vittata is found in forests, woodland and thicket: deforestation poses a threat to this species. Dorsal scales: smooth, not overlapping, small and granular. Collar: white collar of scales present. Ventral scales: keeled. Other: femoral pores beneath each thigh. Coloration: overall brown to dark brown. Two dorsal and two lateral white or blue-white lines (lateral lines paler). Rows of black flecks on lower part of first quarter of tail break up into unpatterned brown flecks [SKDA]. Eye large. Reproduction: no details yet available. |
For bibliography please refer to main Lacertidae page.
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