Acanthodactylus dumerilii (Milne-Edwards, 1829)

Scientific Naming

Duméril's fringe-fingered lizard, scientifically named Acanthodactylus dumerilii, is overall yellowish brown, a coloration shared by many other fringe-fingered lizards.

Body Structure

It has a gracile, elongated body, and long fingers that bear fringe-like scales – the feature that gives the whole genus its common name.

Species Distinguishing Feature

This species can be told apart from Acanthodactylus longipes by the contrasting dark brown or black spots that cover its dorsal surface.

Native Range

Its typical native habitat lies in the deserts of Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, Tunisia, and the Western Sahara.

Sympatric Occurrence

In the Erg Chebbi and M’hamid regions of southern Morocco, it occurs alongside Acanthodactylus longipes, even though these two closely related species prefer distinct habitats.

Habitat Avoidance

Duméril's fringe-fingered lizard avoids vegetation-free deserts.

Preferred Habitat

It is most commonly found at the edges of dunes that have grown over with bushes and halfa grass (Stipa tenacissima), or it lives in sparsely vegetated soil, where it digs and occupies its burrows.

Reproduction

Acanthodactylus dumerilii is an oviparous species.