Southern Rock Agama (Agamids of South Africa)

Southern Rock Agama

Agama atra

Summary ⁴

The southern rock agama (Agama atra) is a species of lizard from the Agamidae family, that occurs in South Africa. It lives in small colonies on rocky outcrops, and the males are very conspicuous for their bright blue heads.

Diagnosis ⁵

Agama atra is a widespread species and is sympatric with numerous other agamid species.

Head scales smooth or slightly convex, versus keeled in Agama armata, A. anchietae & A. hispida ..
Nostril on the canthus rostralis, versus just below in Agama armata & Acanthocercus atricollis .
Nostril tubular, unlike Agama hispida .
Dorsal scales largest on vertebral line (distinct from other species?).
Enlarged dorsal scales tend not to form longitudinal rows, unlike Agama anchietae & A. hispida .
Dorsal scales with moderately enlarged spines, versus greatly enlarged ones in Agama aculeata aculeata .
Ventral scales smooth and imbricate, versus strongly keeled and mucronate in Agama armata & A. hispida or moderately keeled in Agama anchietae .
Scales on limbs not forming curved lines from keels, unlike Acanthocercus atricollis .
Fourth toe longer than third, versus third being longest in Agama aculeata aculeata, A. armata, A. anchietae & A. hispida .
Fourth finger longer or equal to the third, versus third being longest in Agama aculeata aculeata, A. armata, A. anchietae & A. hispida .
Tail scales not enlarged on top forming annuli, as in Acanthocercus atricollis .
Anal pores in single row, versus two rows in Acanthocercus atricollis .

Gough, L. H. (1909). The South African species of Agama. Annals of the Transvaal Museum, 1(3), 183-194.