Added 11 April 2026.
Medopheos is a monotypic genus whose species was formerly assigned to the New World genus Ameiva.
Harvey et al characterised the genus as differing from all other Teiidae as follows: a cluster of 5–6 preanal spurs on either side of the vent in males; in contrast to mainland Ameiva (characters in parentheses), Medopheos has ventrals in 8 longitudinal rows at midbody (10), large triangular scales on the dorsal surface of the brachium (granular), and three relatively large subequal scales at the heel (scales at heel small and numerous); in contrast to Holcosus, Medopheos also has five parietals (three, except in the H. septemlineatus Group where the parietals are heavily and irregularly fractured), a rostral groove (absent except in H. niceforoi), homogeneous subdigital lamellae on the hands (subarticular lamellae swollen), and smooth distal lamellae of the fourth toe (sharply keeled). Medopheos lacks postanal plates and a dorsolateral row of serrated caudals (both present in Holcosus).
I am not aware of this species being kept in captivity, even under its former name of Ameiva edracantha. It is worth bearing in mind that Ameiva and its relatives are fairly flighty lizards that require ample space.
Scientific Name |
Common Name |
Distribution |
Size |
Notes |
Medopheos |
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M. edracantha |
Bocourt’s Ameiva |
Ecuador, Peru |
TL approx 15 cm, SVL approx 9.5 cm |
Description: nostril pierced between the two nasals; five occipitals on a transverse line, the central largest, the outer pair smallest; frontoparietals united or distinct; three supraoculars, sometimes a small posterior fourth; five supraciliaries, second longest; loreal undivided; eight or nine upper labials. Five or six lower labials; chin-shields, one anterior and five or six pairs; several irregular enlarged median gulars; mesoptychium with two or three rows of enlarged scales. Dorsal granules considerably larger than in H. undulatus, smooth. Ventral plates in eight longitudinal series (with an outer rudimentary series), all nearly of the same size, thirty transverse series, counting from the granules of the collar. Two median larger praeanal plates ; on each side, a group of six or seven spinose plates in the male. Brachium with several rows of enlarged shields passing gradually into the postbrachials, those of the anterior row largest, continuous with the antebrachials, which are in two rows. Three or four rows of femoral and two of tibial shields. Thirteen femoral pores. Digits feebly serrated. Caudal scales keeled. Coloration: olive-brown above, back with transverse black lines; five yellowish longitudinal lines, the median widest, commencing from the snout; sides of body, and limbs, marbled with blackish; lower surfaces yellowish white. [SOURCE: Boulenger] |