Species:

Gastropholis prasina  WERNER, 1904

Synonyms:

Gastropholis prasina  WERNER, 1904

Bedriagaia moreaui  LOVERIDGE, 1936

Gastropholis prasina  ARNOLD, 1989

Common names:

Green Keel-bellied Lizard (English)
Afrikanische Baumeidechse (German)

Types:

Holotype: ZMB 18087, MCZ R-39799

Terra Typica:

“Deutsch-Ostafrika”, probably Tanga, Tanzania.

Amani, Usambara Mts. Tanzania (`Bedriagaia moreaui`).

Relevant taxonomic literature:

• Werner, F. (1904) -  Beschreibung neuer Reptilien aus den Gattungen Acanthosaura, Calotes, Gastropholis und Typhlops. -  Zoologischer Anzeiger, Leipzig, 27: 461-464.  

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• Loveridge, A.. (1936) -  A new lacertid (Bedriagaia moreaui) from Tanganyika Territory. -  Proceedings of the New England Zoölogical Club, 15: 67-70.  

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• Arnold, E.N. (1989) -  Systematics and adaptive radiation of Equatorial African lizards assigned to the genera Adolfus, Bedriagaia, Gastropholis, Holaspis and Lacerta (Reptilia: Lacertidae). -  Journal of Natural History, London, 23: 525-555.    

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  Abstract The Equatorial African group of lacertids comprises nine species which share a number of derived features and appear to constitute a holophyletic assemblage. Revision of the group using morphological characters analyzed by parsimony and compatibility methods results in the following taxonomic changes: Lacerta jacksoni = Adolfus jacksoni, Lacerta echinata = Gastropholis echinata, Bedriagaia tropidopholis = Gastropholis tropidopholis, Bedriagaia moreavi = Gastropholis prasina, the latter species being validated and removed from the synonymy of Gastropholis vittata. Adolfus jacksoni has most features in common with the hypothetical ancestor of the group, while Holaspis guentheri and the species of Gastropholis are the most derived forms. Geographical variation in Adolfus alleni is described and what is known of the ecology of the Equatorial group summarized. Most are forest dwellers with the majority of the more primitive forms living on tree boles and among litter and timber on the forest floor (Adolfus jacksoni, A. africanus, A. vauereselli). Another, Holaspis guentheri, is confined to tree boles but glides between them, while the species of Gastropholis appear to be climbers in flimsy vegetation and Adolfus alleni is ground-dwelling above the tree line. Many of the morphological features characterizing these lizards appear to be functionally related to their particular habitats.