''Monilesaurus'' is a
genus
Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...
of
lizard
Lizard is the common name used for all Squamata, squamate reptiles other than snakes (and to a lesser extent amphisbaenians), encompassing over 7,000 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica, as well as most Island#Oceanic isla ...
s in the
draconine clade
In biology, a clade (), also known as a Monophyly, monophyletic group or natural group, is a group of organisms that is composed of a common ancestor and all of its descendants. Clades are the fundamental unit of cladistics, a modern approach t ...
of the
family
Family (from ) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). It forms the basis for social order. Ideally, families offer predictabili ...
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 ...
and is a new genus described in 2018.
''Monilesaurus''
The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org. Currently it consists of 4 species, with 2 new species and 2 species split from the genus ''Calotes
''Calotes'' is a genus of lizards in the draconine clade of the family Agamidae. The genus contains 29 species. Some species are known as forest lizards, others as "bloodsuckers" due to their red heads, and yet others (namely '' C. versicolor'') ...
''.
Geographic range
The genus ''Monilesaurus'' is native to the Western Ghats of India.
Species
Below species were split from Calotes
''Calotes'' is a genus of lizards in the draconine clade of the family Agamidae. The genus contains 29 species. Some species are known as forest lizards, others as "bloodsuckers" due to their red heads, and yet others (namely '' C. versicolor'') ...
genus:
* '' Monilesaurus ellioti'' – Elliot's forest lizard
* '' Monilesaurus rouxii'' – Roux's forest lizard, Roux's forest calotes, forest blood sucker
Below species are described newly under this genus:
* '' Monilesaurus acanthocephalus'' – spiny-headed forest lizard
* '' Monilesaurus montanus'' – montane forest lizard
References
Further reading
External links
* https://biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.4482.3.1
* https://india.mongabay.com/2018/10/26/photo-feature-meet-the-new-species-of-dragon-lizards-from-the-western-ghats/
* http://novataxa.blogspot.com/2018/09/monilesaurus.html
* https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/2-new-species-of-lizards-found-in-western-ghats/articleshow/65986486.cms
{{Taxonbar, from=Q58718181
Lizard genera
Taxa named by Veerappan Deepak