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Phrynosomatidae
The Phrynosomatidae are a diverse family of lizards, sometimes classified as a subfamily (Phrynosomatinae), found from Panama to the extreme south of Canada. Many members of the group are adapted to life in hot, sandy deserts, although the spiny lizards prefer rocky deserts or even relatively moist forest edges, and the short-horned lizard lives in prairie or sagebrush environments. The group includes both egg-laying and viviparous species, with the latter being more common in species living at high elevations. The earliest fossil remains of this group are known from the Late Cretaceous of Mongolia and belong to the genus '' Desertiguana''. As phrynosomatids are presently known only from North America, these remains indicate that phrynosomatids likely had a wider distribution in prehistoric times. Genera The Phrynosomatidae are organised into 9 genera in this family. The earless taxa (''Cophosaurus'' and ''Holbrookia'') are sister genera. Family Phrynosomatidae * '' Callis ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Desertiguana
''Desertiguana'' is an extinct genus of lizard in the family Phrynosomatidae. It is a monotypic genus represented by the type species ''Desertiguana gobiensis'' from the Late Cretaceous Barun Goyot Formation The Barun Goyot Formation (also known as Baruungoyot Formation or West Goyot Formation) is a geological formation dating to the Late Cretaceous Period. It is located within and is widely represented in the Gobi Desert Basin, in the Ömnögovi Pro ... of Mongolia. ''Desertiguana gobiensis'' is known from a single left lower jaw. References Phrynosomatidae Cretaceous lizards Late Cretaceous lepidosaurs of Asia Fossils of Mongolia Barun Goyot Formation Fossil taxa described in 2013 {{paleo-lizard-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Uma (genus)
Fringe-toed lizards are lizards of the genus ''Uma'' in the family Phrynosomatidae, native to deserts of North America. They are adapted for life in sandy deserts with fringe-like scales on their hind toes hence their common name. Descriptions Lizards of the genus ''Uma'' have a brown and tan coloration that helps them to blend in with the sand. The dorsal surface has a velvety texture with intricate markings. In addition, they also have prominent elongated scales which form a fringe on the sides of their hind toes. These fringes aid with traction and speed, and help the lizard avoid sinking into loose, sandy dunes. Fringe-toed lizards also possess upper jaws which overlap the lower ones, preventing the intrusion of sand particles, and nostrils that can be closed at will. Flaps also close against the ear openings when moving through sand, and the upper and lower eyelids have interlocking scales that prevent sand from getting into the eyes. Geographic range Fringe-toed lizard ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lizard
Lizards are a widespread group of squamate reptiles, with over 7,000 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica, as well as most oceanic island chains. The group is paraphyletic since it excludes the snakes and Amphisbaenia although some lizards are more closely related to these two excluded groups than they are to other lizards. Lizards range in size from chameleons and geckos a few centimeters long to the 3-meter-long Komodo dragon. Most lizards are quadrupedal, running with a strong side-to-side motion. Some lineages (known as " legless lizards"), have secondarily lost their legs, and have long snake-like bodies. Some such as the forest-dwelling '' Draco'' lizards are able to glide. They are often territorial, the males fighting off other males and signalling, often with bright colours, to attract mates and to intimidate rivals. Lizards are mainly carnivorous, often being sit-and-wait predators; many smaller species eat insects, while the Komodo eats mamma ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Callisaurus
The zebra-tailed lizard (''Callisaurus draconoides'') is a species of lizard in the family Phrynosomatidae. The species is native to the Southwestern United States and adjacent northwestern Mexico. There are nine recognized subspecies. Habitat Zebra-tailed lizards live in open desert with hard-packed soil, scattered vegetation, and scattered rocks, typically flats, washes, and plains. Description Zebra-tailed lizards range in size from in snout-to-vent length (SVL). These lizards are grey to sandy brown, usually with a series of paired dark gray spots down the back, becoming black crossbands on the tail. The underside of the tail is white with black crossbars. Males have a pair of black blotches on their sides, extending to blue patches on their bellies. Females have no blue patches, and the black bars are either faint or completely absent. Behavior Zebra-tailed lizards are diurnal and alert. They rise early and are active in all but the hottest weather. During the hottest ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cophosaurus
The greater earless lizard (''Cophosaurus texanus'') is the only species in the monotypic genus ''Cophosaurus''. It is closely related to the smaller, lesser earless lizards and other species in the genus ''Holbrookia'', and in fact was placed in that genus and referred to ''Holbrookia texana'' from 1852 into the 1970s. Earless lizards lack external ear openings, an adaptation to burrowing in the sand, as are the recessed lower jaw and flared upper labial scales. Greater earless lizards are sexually dimorphic, males grow larger and are more colorful than females, exhibiting pink and green colors that are particularly bright in the breeding season. Two bold black bars mark the lateral region of males but are greatly reduced and vague, or occasionally entirely absent in females. The greater earless lizard is native to the Chihuahua Desert and other arid and semi-arid regions of Southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where they most often occupy moderately open areas of spa ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sator (lizard)
Spiny lizards is a common name for the genus ''Sceloporus'' in the family Phrynosomatidae. The genus is endemic to North America, with various species ranging from New York, to Washington, and one occurring as far south as northern Panama. Köhler G (2008). ''Reptiles of Central America, 2nd Edition.'' Offenbach, Germany: Herpeton, Verlag Elke Köhler. 400 pp. . The greatest diversity is found in Mexico. This genus includes some of the most commonly seen lizards in the United States. Other common names for lizards in this genus include fence lizards, scaly lizards, bunchgrass lizards, and swifts. Taxonomy The 113 species in the genus ''Sceloporus'' are organized into 21 species groups. However, their relationships to each other are currently under review. Listed below are species of ''Sceloporus'':"''Sceloporus'' ". ITIS. www.itis.gov. Species ''Nota bene'': A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than ''Scelopo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Spiny Lizard
Spiny lizards is a common name for the genus ''Sceloporus'' in the family Phrynosomatidae. The genus is endemic to North America, with various species ranging from New York, to Washington, and one occurring as far south as northern Panama. Köhler G (2008). ''Reptiles of Central America, 2nd Edition.'' Offenbach, Germany: Herpeton, Verlag Elke Köhler. 400 pp. . The greatest diversity is found in Mexico. This genus includes some of the most commonly seen lizards in the United States. Other common names for lizards in this genus include fence lizards, scaly lizards, bunchgrass lizards, and swifts. Taxonomy The 113 species in the genus ''Sceloporus'' are organized into 21 species groups. However, their relationships to each other are currently under review. Listed below are species of ''Sceloporus'':"''Sceloporus'' ". ITIS. www.itis.gov. Species ''Nota bene'': A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than ''Scelopo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Holbrookia
''Holbrookia'' is a genus of earless lizards, known commonly as the lesser earless lizards, in the family Phrynosomatidae. The genus contains six recognized species, which are found throughout the Southwestern and Central United States and northern Mexico. They are characterized by having no external ear openings, presumably to prevent soil from entering their bodies when they are digging. Etymology The generic name, ''Holbrookia'', is in honor of American zoologist John Edwards Holbrook. Description Lesser earless lizards grow to about 2.0-2.5 in (50–65 mm) snout-to-vent length, plus a tail of 3–4 in (75–100 mm). They are typically grey or tan in color, with black blotching. The males usually have blue patches on either side of their bellies, whereas the females do not. Females often change to have bright orange patches when gravid. Behavior ''Holbrookia'' species are diurnal, basking lizards. They spend the vast majority of their time sunning on rocks, eve ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Phrynosoma
Horned lizards (''Phrynosoma''), also known as horny toads or horntoads, are a genus of North American lizards and the type genus of the family Phrynosomatidae. The common names refer directly to their horns or to their flattened, rounded bodies, and blunt snouts. The generic name ''Phrynosoma'' means "toad-bodied". In common with true toads ( amphibians of the family Bufonidae), horned lizards tend to move sluggishly, often remain motionless, and rely on their remarkable camouflage to avoid detection by predators. They are adapted to arid or semiarid areas. The spines on the lizard's back and sides are modified reptile scales, which prevent water loss through the skin, whereas the horns on the head are true horns (i.e., they have a bony core). Of the 21 species of horned lizards, 15 are native to the USA. The largest-bodied and most widely distributed of the American species is the Texas horned lizard. Defenses Horned lizards use a variety of means to avoid predation. Thei ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Desert Horned Lizard
The desert horned lizard (''Phrynosoma platyrhinos'') is a species of phrynosomatid lizard native to western North America. They are often referred to as "horny toads", although they are not toads, but lizards. Description There are several important characteristics that can be used to identify desert horned lizards from other horned lizards. Horned lizards can be distinguished from other lizards by the large pointed scales that protrude from the back of their heads, giving them the appearance of having horns, as well as the flat and broad shape of their bodies. This species of lizard has a distinctive flat body with one row of fringe scales down the sides. They are a medium sized lizard and can grow up to approximately 3.75 inches or 95mm in size. They have one row of slightly enlarged scales on each side of the throat. Colours can vary and generally blend in with the color of the surrounding soil, but they usually have a beige, tan, or reddish dorsum with contrasting, wavy b ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Urosaurus
''Urosaurus'' is a genus of lizards, commonly known as tree lizards or brush lizards, belonging to the New World family Phrynosomatidae. Description Species in the genus ''Urosaurus'' can be distinguished from members of the genus '' Sceloporus'' by the presence of a gular (under neck) fold and granular lateral scales. They can be distinguished from members of the genus '' Uta'' by the presence of enlarged (sometimes only slightly) dorsal scales. It is important to note that these lizards come from a different family than lizards like the common side-blotched lizard which comes from the family 'Uta'. Reproduction ''Urosaurus'' have been used as a model system in lizard life-history studies, and populations produce two or more clutches of eggs per year. Field studies have also shown a cost of reproduction in a natural New Mexico population of the species ''Urosaurus ornatus''. Species In the genus ''Urosaurus'' there are 8 species which are recognized as being valid. *'' Uro ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Henri Marie Ducrotay De Blainville
Henri Marie Ducrotay de Blainville (; 12 September 1777 – 1 May 1850) was a French zoologist and anatomist. Life Blainville was born at Arques, near Dieppe. As a young man he went to Paris to study art, but ultimately devoted himself to natural history. He attracted the attention of Georges Cuvier, for whom he occasionally substituted as lecturer at the Collège de France and at the Athenaeum Club, London. In 1812 he was aided by Cuvier in acquiring the position of assistant professor of anatomy and zoology in the Faculty of Sciences at Paris. Eventually, relations between the two men soured, a situation that ended in open enmity. In 1819, Blainville was elected a member of the American Philosophical Society in Philadelphia. In 1825 he was admitted a member of the French Academy of Sciences; and in 1830 he was appointed to succeed Jean-Baptiste Lamarck in the chair of natural history at the museum. Two years later, on the death of Cuvier, he obtained the chair of comparat ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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