User:Lhov14/Lepidophyma smithii

Lead
Lepidophyma smithii, Smith's tropical night lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Xantusiidae. It is a small lizard found in Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador. They live in small caves with scarce levels of food and nutrients. Smith's tropical night lizard is an omnivore, with a diet consisting of mostly fig tree fruit and vegetation, and insects. These lizards confine their movement to remain within the shelter of their caves, and do not emerge in the day or night. All adult L.smithii are approximately 25 grams, but males have a slightly larger body size, and have wider heads and longer snouts, when compared to their female counterparts. Lepidophyma smithii reside in close quarters to other Lepidophyma species, often living via parapatric speciation.

COMMENTS: I like the setup you have for your overview. I think adding some specifics in here could help explain the lizard a little bit more. They live on small amounts of food and nutrients, I think adding a little bit on why they can live on so few nutrients could be cool (if that's something we even know) and if not, explaining that there isn't much known about how they're able to live on little food, as well as describing the size a bit more. What's a typical size range for males and females? I also think expanding on what their ecological role is within their niche/area could be an interesting addition!

Reproduction
Xantusiidae are viviparous with internal syngamy. Lepidophyma smithii reproduces through regular facultative parthenogenesis. The female tropical night lizards are able to simultaneously reproduce parthenogenetically and sexually within the same clutch. Female Lepidophyma smithii carry out facultative parthenogenesis, even when in excess supply of sperm. Male and female offspring of these clutches are both viable and fertile.

COMMENTS: This looks great! I think explaining a little bit about how they reproduce (i.e. internal or external fertilization, gestation length, clutch size) as well as a little bit about what parthenogenesis is and if it's common within the clade itself, or if this is novel to this species. Adding a little bit more detail to explain these systems and how we know them overall could be beneficial and I think would really add to your article. Good job!!