|
Iguania
Iguania is an infraorder of squamate reptiles that includes iguanas, chameleons, agamids, and New World lizards like anoles and phrynosomatids. Using morphological features as a guide to evolutionary relationships, the Iguania are believed to form the sister group to the remainder of the Squamata, which comprise nearly 11,000 named species, roughly 2000 of which are iguanians. However, molecular information has placed Iguania well within the Squamata as sister taxa to the Anguimorpha and closely related to snakes. The order has been under debate and revisions after being classified by Charles Lewis Camp in 1923 due to difficulties finding adequate synapomorphic morphological characteristics. Most iguanians are arboreal but there are several terrestrial groups. They usually have primitive fleshy, non-prehensile tongues, although the tongue is highly modified in chameleons. Today they are scattered occurring in Madagascar, the Fiji and Friendly Islands and Western Hemispher ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Squamata
Squamata (, Latin ''squamatus'', 'scaly, having scales') is the largest Order (biology), order of reptiles; most members of which are commonly known as Lizard, lizards, with the group also including Snake, snakes. With over 11,991 species, it is also the second-largest order of Neontology, extant (living) vertebrates, after the Perciformes, perciform fish. Squamates are distinguished by their skins, which bear horny scale (zoology), scales or shields, and must periodically engage in molting. They also possess movable quadrate bones, making possible movement of the Maxilla, upper jaw relative to the neurocranium. This is particularly visible in snakes, which are able to open their mouths very widely to accommodate comparatively large prey. Squamates are the most variably sized living reptiles, ranging from the Sphaerodactylus ariasae, dwarf gecko (''Sphaerodactylus ariasae'') to the reticulated python (''Malayopython reticulatus''). The now-Extinction, extinct mosasaurs reached ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Iguanas
''Iguana'' (, ) is a genus of herbivorous lizards that are native to tropical areas of Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. The genus was first described by Austrian naturalist J.N. Laurenti in 1768. Two species are placed in the genus: The green iguana, which is widespread throughout its range and a popular pet; and the Lesser Antillean iguana, which is native to the Lesser Antilles. Genetic analysis indicates that the green iguana may comprise a complex of multiple species, some of which have been recently described, but the Reptile Database considers all of these as subspecies of the green iguana. The word "iguana" is derived from the original Taino name for the species, ''iwana''. In addition to the two species in the genus ''Iguana'', several other related genera in the same family have common names of the species including the word "iguana". The species is a popular quarry for pets, and non-native animals have been widely introduced beyond its ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Iguanidae
The Iguanidae is a family of lizards composed of the iguanas, chuckwallas, and their prehistoric relatives, including the widespread green iguana. Taxonomy Iguanidae is thought to be the sister group to the Crotaphytidae, collared lizards (family Crotaphytidae). This family likely first appeared in Cenozoic, previously identified two Cretaceous genera (''Pristiguana'' and ''Pariguana'') are unlikely to belong to this family. The subfamily Iguaninae, which contains all modern genera, likely originated in the earliest Paleocene, about 62 million years ago. The most Basal (phylogenetics), basal extant genus, ''Desert iguana, Dipsosaurus,'' diverged from the rest of Iguaninae during the late Eocene, about 38 million years ago, with ''Brachylophus'' following a few million years later at about 35 million years ago, presumably after its dispersal event to the Pacific Ocean, Pacific. All other modern iguana genera formed in the Neogene period. A phylogenetic tree of Iguaninae is shown ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Crotaphytidae
The Crotaphytidae, or collared lizards, are a family (biology), family of desert-dwelling reptiles native to the Southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Alternatively they are recognized as a subfamily, Crotaphytinae, within the clade Pleurodonta. They are very fast-moving animals, with long limbs and tails; some species are capable of achieving bipedal locomotion, bipedal running at top speed. This species is carnivore, carnivorous, feeding mainly on insects and smaller lizards. The two Genus, genera contain 12 species. They may be related to the extinct Arretosauridae of Paleogene Asia due to similar jaw morphologies, though other studies classify the Arretosauridae in Acrodonta (lizard), Acrodonta with other Old World iguanians. Technical characters *Femoral pores present *Interparietal scale small (distinctly smaller than ear opening) *Never have an enlarged middorsal scale row or fringe *Never have a divided rostral scale *No bony spines or projecting ridges on their ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Acrodonta (lizard)
Acrodonta are a subclade of iguanian squamates consisting almost entirely of Old World taxa. Extant representation include the families Chamaeleonidae (chameleons) and Agamidae (dragon lizards), with at least over 500 species described. A fossil genus, '' Gueragama'', was found in Brazil making it the only known American representative of the group. The group is eponymously named from their acrodont dentition, whereby the teeth are consolidated with the summit of the alveolar ridge of the jaw without sockets. There are, however, other animals that have acrodont dentition such as tuataras. Systematics Usually acrodonts are divided into two families Chamaeleonidae and Agamidae, there are a few studies that suggest chameleons are nested within Agamidae. In order to maintain the familial status of Chamaeleonidae some authors suggested placing the clades Uromastycinae and Leiolepidinae in a third family Leiolepididae. However a majority of papers concerning acrodont phylogenetic ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pleurodonta
Pleurodonta (from Greek '' lateral teeth'', is an clade of lizards reference to the position of the teeth on the jaw) is one of the two subdivisions of Iguania, the other being Acrodonta ('' teeth on the top f the jaw'). Pleurodonta includes all families previously split from Iguanidae ''sensu lato'' ( Corytophanidae, Crotaphytidae, Hoplocercidae, Opluridae, Polychrotidae, etc.), whereas Acrodonta includes Agamidae and Chamaeleonidae. The name Pleurodonta was first used by paleontologist and herpetologist Edward Drinker Cope in 1864, although he used it in a different sense than it is used today. Because of this difference, the name Iguanoidea has been proposed as a replacement for Pleurodonta in phylogenetic nomenclature. ''Pleurodonta'' is also a synonym of gastropod Gastropods (), commonly known as slugs and snails, belong to a large Taxonomy (biology), taxonomic class of invertebrates within the phylum Mollusca called Gastropoda (). This class comprises snails and sl ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hoplocercidae
Hoplocercidae are a family of lizards native to the tropical forests, woodlands and savanna-like habitats of Central America, Central and South America. Alternatively they are recognized as a subfamily, Hoplocercinae. 20 species in two genera are described. Species Family: Hoplocercidae * Genus ''Enyalioides'' ** ''Enyalioides altotambo'' Omar Torres-Carvajal, Torres-Carvajal, Pablo J. Venegas, Venegas, & Kevin de Queiroz, de Queiroz, 2015 – Alto Tambo woodlizard ** ''Enyalioides anisolepis'' Omar Torres-Carvajal, Torres-Carvajal, Pablo J. Venegas, Venegas, & de Queiroz, 2015 – rough-scaled woodlizard ** ''Enyalioides annularis'' (Arthur O'Shaughnessy, O’Shaughnessy, 1881) – ringed manticore, ringed spinytail iguana ** ''Enyalioides azulae'' Pablo J. Venegas, Venegas, Omar Torres-Carvajal, Torres-Carvajal, Vilma Duran, Duran, & de Queiroz, 2013 ** ''Enyalioides binzayedi'' Pablo J. Venegas, Venegas, Omar Torres-Carvajal, Torres-Carvajal, Vilma Duran, Duran, & de Queiroz, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Corytophanidae
Corytophanidae is a family of iguanian lizards, also called casquehead lizards or helmeted lizards, endemic to the New World. Nine species of casquehead lizards from three genera are recognized. Geographic range Corytophanids are found from Mexico, through Central America, and as far south as Ecuador. Certain species are now extant in South Florida and are considered invasive. Description The casquehead lizards are moderately sized lizards, with laterally compressed bodies, and typically have well-developed head crests in the shape of a casque helmet. This crest is a sexually dimorphic characteristic in males of ''Basiliscus'', but is present in both sexes of ''Corytophanes'' and ''Laemanctus''.Pough et al. (2003). In past years there has been evidence of corytophanids in the Eocene of North America. The greatest percentage of omnivorous species (> 10% plant diet), over 30% in each, and the highest mean percentage of plant matter in the diet are corytophanids. Behavior In ''C ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Agamid
Agamidae is a family containing 582 species in 64 genera of iguanian lizards indigenous to Africa, Asia, Australia, and a few locations in Southern Europe. Many species are commonly called dragons or dragon lizards. Overview Phylogenetically, they may be sister to the Iguanidae, and have similar appearances. Agamids usually have well-developed, strong legs. Their tails cannot be shed and regenerated like those of geckos (and several other families such as skinks), though a certain amount of regeneration is observed in some. Many agamid species are capable of limited change of their colours to regulate their body temperature. In some species, males are more brightly coloured than females, and colours play a part in signaling and reproductive behaviours. Although agamids generally inhabit warm environments, ranging from hot deserts to tropical rainforests, at least one species, the mountain dragon, is found in cooler regions. They are particularly diverse in Australia. This gro ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Agamidae
Agamidae is a family containing 582 species in 64 genera of iguanian lizards indigenous to Africa, Asia, Australia, and a few locations in Southern Europe. Many species are commonly called dragons or dragon lizards. Overview Phylogenetically, they may be sister to the Iguanidae, and have similar appearances. Agamids usually have well-developed, strong legs. Their tails cannot be shed and regenerated like those of geckos (and several other families such as skinks), though a certain amount of regeneration is observed in some. Many agamid species are capable of limited change of their colours to regulate their body temperature. In some species, males are more brightly coloured than females, and colours play a part in signaling and reproductive behaviours. Although agamids generally inhabit warm environments, ranging from hot deserts to tropical rainforests, at least one species, the mountain dragon, is found in cooler regions. They are particularly diverse in Australia. This gr ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Leiocephalidae
Leiocephalidae, also known as the curlytail lizards or curly-tailed lizards, is a family of iguanian lizards restricted to the West Indies. One of the defining features of these lizards is that their tail often curls over. They were previously regarded as members of the subfamily Leiocephalinae within the family Tropiduridae. There are presently 30 known species, all in the genus ''Leiocephalus''. Taxonomy Phylogenetic evidence supports Leiocephalidae being the most basal extant member of the clade Pleurodonta, with it diverging from the rest of the suborder as early as the Late Cretaceous, about 91 million years ago. As with many other higher-order taxa endemic to the Caribbean, it likely colonized the Antilles from South America during the Cenozoic; however, its deep divergence time from other lizards supports a much more complex and less straightforward history in the West Indies compared to other modern taxa. Phylogenetic analysis on the genus supports some members of ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Prehensility
Prehensility is the quality of an appendage or organ that has adapted for grasping or holding. The word is derived from the Latin term ''prehendere'', meaning "to grasp". The ability to grasp is likely derived from a number of different origins. The most common are tree-climbing and the need to manipulate food. Examples Appendages that can become prehensile include: Uses Prehensility affords animals a great natural advantage in manipulating their environment for feeding, climbing, digging, and defense. It enables many animals, such as primates, to use tools to complete tasks that would otherwise be impossible without highly specialized anatomy. For example, chimpanzees have the ability to use sticks to obtain termites and grubs in a manner similar to human fishing Fishing is the activity of trying to catch fish. Fish are often caught as wildlife from the natural environment (Freshwater ecosystem, freshwater or Marine ecosystem, marine), but may also be caught ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
