Platysaurus
Platysaurus is a genus of lizards, commonly known as flat lizards for their flat backs, in the family Cordylidae.
Geographic range
All species in the genus Platysaurus live in isolated populations in southern Africa. They are found in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, eastern Botswana, southern Namibia and northern and western South Africa.Description
The species of Platysaurus exhibit sexual dimorphism. Females and juveniles often have black or brown backs with white stripes, while males are much more colored. Also, males are somewhat larger than females.Species
The following 16 described species are recognized as being valid.- Platysaurus attenboroughi – Attenborough's flat lizard
- Platysaurus broadleyi – Broadley's flat lizard or Augrabies flat lizard
- Platysaurus capensis – Cape flat lizard
- Platysaurus guttatus – dwarf flat lizard
- Platysaurus imperator – emperor flat lizard
- Platysaurus intermedius – common flat lizard
- Platysaurus lebomboensis – Lebombo flat lizard
- Platysaurus maculatus – spotted flat lizard
- Platysaurus minor – Waterberg flat lizard
- Platysaurus mitchelli – Mitchell's flat lizard
- Platysaurus monotropis – orange-throated flat lizard
- Platysaurus ocellatus – ocellated flat lizard
- Platysaurus orientalis – Sekukune flat lizard
- Platysaurus pungweensis – Pungwe flat lizard
- Platysaurus relictus – Soutpansberg flat lizard
- Platysaurus torquatus – striped flat lizard