Lacerta

Lacerta is a term used for at least two distinct topics in science, reflecting its Latin meaning “the lizard.” In taxonomy and zoology it refers to a genus of lizards, while in astronomy it denotes a small constellation in the northern sky.

Lacerta as a constellation

Lacerta is a small northern constellation that was introduced by the 17th-century astronomer Johannes Hevelius. It is named after the lizard and is notable mainly for its faint star pattern rather than prominent celestial objects. The brightest star in Lacerta is Alpha Lacertae, with an apparent magnitude around 3.8. The constellation lies in the northern celestial hemisphere and is bordered by several neighboring constellations. Its modern boundaries and name were formalized by the International Astronomical Union, and, like many faint constellations, it contains a modest number of stars and a few distant deep-sky objects.

Lacerta as a genus

In biology, Lacerta is a genus in the family Lacertidae, comprising true lizards native to Europe, western Asia, and parts of northern Africa. The genus historically included many species, such as Lacerta agilis (the sand lizard) and Lacerta vivipara (the viviparous lizard). Taxonomic revisions in recent decades have moved several species to other genera, including Zootoca, Timon, and Podarcis, reflecting advances in understanding of lizard relationships. Lacerta lizards generally inhabit a range of habitats from grasslands to woodland edges and are ecologically diverse across their native regions.