''Amphibolurus'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial nom ...

of lizards in the

family Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...

Agamidae. The genus is

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found else ...

to Australia.

Description

Characteristics of the genus ''Amphibolurus'' include: * Moderate size nout–vent length * Long limbs and long tail * One to five crests consisting of enlarged, sometimes spinose scales (one nuchal and vertebral crest, sometime one or two dorsal crests on each side) * Tympanum exposed * One to 11 femoral pores and one to three preanal pores on each side * Pattern usually includes three broad pale dorsal stripes, and some blotches on a usually brown ground coloration * Different from the similar species ''Lophognathus'' and ''Gowidon'' due to more heterogeneous arrangement of scales. They also differ from ''Gowidon'' due to more dorsal rows of enlarged, spinose scales.

Habitat

''Amphibolurus'' lizards inhabit open forests, woodlands, and the vegetation around water courses in southern, eastern, and central Australia.

Behaviour

Species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

in the genus ''Amphibolurus'' are partially arboreal and are often found perching on trunks and branches. Lizards of this genus are swift and shy, and when disturbed, they can engage in bipedal running.

Species

The following species are recognized as being valid, according to the Reptile Database. *'' Amphibolurus burnsi'' – Burn's dragon *''

Amphibolurus centralis ''Amphibolurus centralis'', the Centralian lashtail, is a species of agama found in Australia. References External Links * Amphibolurus Agamid lizards of Australia Taxa named by Arthur Loveridge Reptiles described in 1933 {{agam ...

'' – Centralian lashtail *''

Amphibolurus muricatus The jacky dragon (''Amphibolurus muricatus'') is a type of lizard native to southeastern Australia. It was one of the first Australian reptiles to be named by Europeans, originally described by English zoologist George Shaw in Surgeon-General ...

'' – jacky dragon *''

Amphibolurus norrisi The Mallee heath dragon (''Amphibolurus norrisi''), is a species of semi-Arboreal Agamidae endemic to Australia. it has also been referenced as Norris’s dragon, Mallee heath lashtail and Mallee heath lashtail dragon. Taxonomy The taxonomi ...

'' – Mallee Heath lashtail ''

Nota bene (, or ; plural form ) is a Latin phrase meaning "note well". It is often abbreviated as NB, n.b., or with the ligature and first appeared in English writing . In Modern English, it is used, particularly in legal papers, to draw the atten ...

'': A

binomial authority In taxonomy, binomial nomenclature ("two-term naming system"), also called nomenclature ("two-name naming system") or binary nomenclature, is a formal system of naming species of living things by giving each a name composed of two parts, bot ...

in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than ''Amphibolurus''.

References

External Links