Takydromus is agenus oflizards, commonly calledgrass lizards ororiental racers.Species of the genusTakydromus areendemic to a large part ofAsia. Members of this genus are noticeable because of their slender appearance and their agile movements. The wordtakydromus derives fromGreek ταχυδρόμος (takhudromos), "fast-running",[1][2] from ταχύς (takhus), "swift"[3] + δρόμος (dromos), "course, race".[4]
Members of the genusTakydromus are extremely slender in appearance. The tail is about 2 to 5 times as long as the snout-vent length. The basic colour is normally brown, often with lateral stripes and dark spots. The dorsal scales are keeled and large. These keels form continuous longitudinal rows. The toes contain lamellae. The collar may be reduced or completely absent.[citation needed]
The lizard genusTakydromus is found inJapan, in theAmur region ofRussia, and throughout entire easternAsia toIndonesia. These lizards are mainly terrestrial although some species can be found on trees. Some members of this genus are found both on rocks and in relatively damp forests. Other species inhabit open grasslands.[5]
Daudin FM (1802).Histoire Naturelle, Générale et Particulière des Reptiles; Ouvrage faisant suite à l'Histoire Naturelle générale et particulière, composée par Leclerc Buffon; et rédigée par C.S. Sonnini, membre de plusieurs sociétés savantes. Tome troisième [Volume 3]. Paris: F. Dufart. 452 pp. (Takydromus, new genus, pp. 251–252). (inFrench).
Lin S-M,Chen CA,Lue K-Y (2002). Molecular Phylogeny and Biogeography of the Grass Lizard GenusTakydromus (Reptilia: Lacertidae) of East Asia.Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution22 (2): 276–288. Erratum,26 (2): 333.
Smith MA (1935).The Fauna of British India, Including Ceylon and Burma. Reptilia and Amphibia. Vol. II.—Sauria. London: Secretary of State for India in Council. (Taylor and Francis, printers). xiii + 440 pp. + Plate I + 2 maps. (GenusTakydromus, p. 365).
