Taxonomic notes: Peters (1982) distinguished two species within "Agama phillipsii", describing A. trachypleura on the basis of two museum specimens. Largen and Spawls (2006) compared these specimens and determined that, while A. trachypleura could not be distinguished from the type series of A. phillipsii, Peters (1982) had correctly recognized two taxa within the complex, and had unfortunately applied the established name A. phillipsii to the undescribed form in error. Largen and Spawls (2006) therefore synonymized A. trachypleura within Acanthocercus phillipsii, and erected the new name A. guentherpetersi for Peters' concept of "Agama phillipsii".

This recently-distinguished species is known from the area around Harar in Ethiopia and, disjunctly, from the eastern lowlands of Eritrea (Largen and Spawls 2006). It is considered unlikely to occur continuously between the known Ethiopian and Eritrean sites, as the intervening Awash National Park has been well-surveyed (Largen and Spawls 2006). It is thought that it may exhibit a similar distribution to A. phillipsii, which is likewise absent from this area (Largen and Spawls 2006). While the distribution of both species may not be continuous, it may however be more widespread between known sites than records suggest and the large gap in its distribution is "presumably due to inadequate sampling" (Largen and Spawls 2010). In common with A. phillipsii, its occurrence in northwestern Somalia should be expected (Largen and Spawls 2006). Ethiopian records are known from 1,400-1,500 m asl.; no elevational data is associated with the Eritrean records (Largen and Spawls 2006), but one of the localities is thought to lie at around 2,000 m (Spawls pers. comm.).

This species was described based on a series of 12 museum specimens collected between 1934 and 1968 (Largen and Spawls 2006). There is a single photograph of a living individual taken in 2010 in the same region of Ethiopia as the historical records (Mazuch 2013 - Amphibians & Reptiles of Somaliland and Ethiopia).
Follow up with Thomas about pop status

Several specimens were collected between Harar and Jigjiga, all of which were found among rocks in dry Acacia scrub (Largen and Spawls 2006). At one of these sites, the species was found living in close association with A. annectens (Largen and Spawls 2006).

Unlikely to be used or traded (Spawls pers. comm.)

There is intensive cultivation around known localities, however this is a species of rocky outcrops and the form of cultivation practiced does little damage to this lizard's habitat (Spawls). As such, it is unlikely to be subject to major threats.

This species is not known to occur in protected areas. Following recent recognition of this taxon as a species distinct from A. phillipsii, research is needed to clarify its distribution, population status and natural history.

LC despite limited information, as no major threats.

• Largen, M. and Spawls, S. 2010. The Amphibians and Reptiles of Ethiopia and Eritrea. Edition Chimaira, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
• Largen, M.J. and Spawls, S. 2006. Lizards of Ethiopia (Reptilia Sauria): an annotated checklist, bibliography, gazetteer and identification key. Tropical Zoology 19: 21-109.
• Peters, G. 1982. Eine neue Wirtelschwanzagame aus Ostafrika (Agamidae: Agama). Mitteilungen aus dem Zoologischen Museum in Berlin 58(2): 265-268.