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Heath delma

heath delma (Delma hebesa)
Fitzgerald National Park, Western Australia
Photo © Henry Cook
Delma hebesa - Maryan, Brennan, Adams & Aplin, 2015
Pronunciation  DELL-mah  
Etymology  Delma: apparently meaningless
hebesa: "The specific name hebesa is derived from the Latin adjective hebes, meaning dull, alluding to the matt body texture, without much shine, of this species." 1
Other names   
 
Snout-to-vent length
Species avg: 7.9 cm
Reproduction
Oviparous
Clutch size
2
Description Distribution Natural history Conservation Further information More photos

Description

"A small species of Delma (SVL to 79 mm) with: ventral scales not markedly larger than adjacent lateral scales; one pair of supranasals; modally 18 midbody scales; modally 10 hindlimb scales in both sexes; 73‒92 ventral scales (males average 76.8, females 85.5); six upper labials with fourth typically below eye; loreal scale row typically interrupted by a ventral extension of supraloreal scale that contacts upper labials; essentially unpatterned head, sometimes with weak dark variegations on sides of head and indistinct narrow bars or smudges on labial scales, nape and forebody."1
"Top of head bluish to light grey and unpatterned or with weak dark variegations. Lower labials whitish with blackish bars or smudges, centred on sutures of mental and anterior two lower labial scales, corner of mouth, grading to obscure variegations or weak bars around ear opening and on lateral scales of forebody. There is only very weak ventral extension of black bars or smudges on to chin and throat. Dorsal body surface bluish to light grey anteriorly, gradually merging to light brown body than to light grey tail. Lower flanks are slightly pinkish to reddish brown. Dorsal surface is uniform, except for some indication of obscure dark spots or variegations, particularly on some sutures of body scales. Ventral surface under head and along body whitish, with blackish variegations, becoming less pigmented under tail."1

Similar species

"Delma hebesa sp. nov. differs from D. torquata from southeastern Queensland in having a larger adult size (SVL to 79 mm versus to 63 mm), three precloacal scales (versus two), the fourth upper labial typically below the eye (versus typically the third below the eye), modally 18 midbody scale rows (versus 16) and only dark variegations (if present) on head and neck (versus broad dark bands).

Delma hebesa sp. nov. differs from all other Australian species (except D. australis, D. torquata and D. concinna) in having ventral scales not markedly larger than adjacent lateral scales (versus markedly larger).

Delma hebesa sp. nov. differs from D. fraseri with which it occurs in sympatry (see below) in having a smaller adult size (SVL to 79 mm versus to 140 mm, Bush et al. 2007), one pair of supranasals (versus two pairs), modally 18 midbody scale rows (versus 16), ventral scales not markedly larger than adjacent lateral scales (versus markedly larger) and only dark variegations (if present) on head and neck (versus broad dark bands, often faded in adults)."1

Taxonomic notes

This species was described by Maryan, Brennan, Adams & Aplin in 2015.1

Notes and disclaimer
This information may not be complete. While all care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the information in this page, primary sources should always be consulted for definitive information. Animals have an endearing habit of disobeying the rules, so the information on this page should be interpreted with a degree of flexibility.
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This page may be cited as:
  Delma hebesa at the Australian Reptile Online Database. Last updated 2019-05-03 21:20:13.
  Retrieved from http://arod.com.au/arod/?species=Delma+hebesa on the 28th of March, 2024.
Before citing information contained in AROD, please read our Citing AROD page.

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