''Diporiphora winneckei'', also known commonly as the canegrass dragon, canegrass two-line dragon, blue-lined dragon, and Winnecke's two-pored dragon, is a

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 ...

of small, terrestrial, diurnal

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 alt ...

in the

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

Agamidae Agamidae is a family (biology), family of over 300 species of iguanian lizards indigenous to Africa, Asia, Australia, and a few in Southern Europe. Many species are commonly called dragons or dragon lizards. Overview phylogenetics, Phylogenetic ...

. The species 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 elsew ...

to Australia. It is found throughout arid zones of

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

and is also a common house pet.Van Der Reijden J (2014, August 18). "The captive maintenance and breeding of ''Diporiphora winneckei'' (Canegrass dragon) at the Alice Springs Desert Park". Retrieved from Australasian society of zoo keeping inc: http://www.aszk.org.au/docs/cane_grass_dragon.pdf

Etymology

The

specific name Specific name may refer to: * in Database management systems, a system-assigned name that is unique within a particular database In taxonomy, either of these two meanings, each with its own set of rules: * Specific name (botany), the two-part (bino ...

, ''winneckei'', is in honor of Australian explorer Charles George A. Winnecke (1856–1902).

Description

''Diporiphora winneckei'' is a slim lizard with a long tail and limbs, approximately in total length.Swan, Gerry (1995). ''A Photographic Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of Australia''. Frenchs Forest: New Holland Publishers. ("Canegrass Two-line Dragon", p. 107). It is a grey or pale brown to reddish-brown colour, with a thick grey ventral band that runs from the nape to the tail. It also has creamy-yellow (female) or silver grey (male) stripes that run down each side of its back, converging at the pelvis. Dark angular blotches lie between the stripe and the ventral band of female, while males have fewer or no blotches visible.Wilson, Steve; Swan, Gerry (2013). ''A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia, Fourth Edition''. Chatswood: New Holland Publishers. 522 pp. . ("Canegrass Dragon; Blue-lined Dragon", p. 406). The canegrass dragon also has a creamy mid lateral stripe that runs from eye to ear on each side. It has homogenous scales as well as weak gular and postauricular folds. It lacks the spines and crest that many other dragons display. Cogger HG (1994). ''Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia''. Chatswood: Imago Productions. ("''Diporiphora winneckei'' ", p. 336).

Taxonomy

The canegrass dragon was first officially described in 1896 by

Arthur Henry Shakespeare Lucas Arthur Henry Shakespeare Lucas (7 May 1853 – 10 June 1936) was an English-born schoolmaster, scientist and publisher who lived in Australia for over fifty years, and became the most renowned writer on Algae after William Henry Harvey Early lif ...

and Charles Frost. Its common name originates from the fact that it is often found in

canegrass Canegrass, cane-grass or cane grass is a common name which may refer to the following plants in the family Poaceae: * '' Eragrostis australasica'' – Swamp Canegrass * '' Eragrostis infecunda'' – Southern Canegrass * '' Zygochloa paradoxa'' ...

. Its scientific name, ''Diporiphora winneckei'', suggests that it has two visible pores, however the pores are not visible on this species. The closest species to the canegrass dragon is Amelia's dragon (''Diporiphora ameliae'') which was split from the canegrass dragon as a new species in 2012. Amelia's dragon has four longitudinal ventral stripes when compared to the canegrass dragons two ventral stripes, as well as having a postauricular fold and spines, which the canegrass dragon lacks.

Distribution and habitat

The canegrass dragon is an endemic species found in the arid zones of Australia, with a rainfall of less than 500mm. It's predominantly found in the region surrounding the junction of the

Northern Territory The Northern Territory (commonly abbreviated as NT; formally the Northern Territory of Australia) is an states and territories of Australia, Australian territory in the central and central northern regions of Australia. The Northern Territory ...

Queensland ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , established_ ...

New South Wales ) , nickname = , image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , es ...

, and

South Australia South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a state in the southern central part of Australia. It covers some of the most arid parts of the country. With a total land area of , it is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories ...

borders. However, it also occupies habitat across

Western Australia Western Australia (commonly abbreviated as WA) is a state of Australia occupying the western percent of the land area of Australia excluding external territories. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to th ...

as far as the northern West Australian coastline. The canegrass dragon is usually found on desert sand ridges or other sandy soils in amongst ground litter, cane grass, spinifex or hummock grasses. The canegrass dragon is rarely sighted, despite not being rare, due to its excellent camouflage and secretive behaviour.

Reproduction

The canegrass dragon reaches sexual maturity at around one year old. During the breeding season, the male will attract a female by repeated head bobs, which displays his willingness to mate. If the female is not ready, she will run away. However, if she is, she will lower her head several times to show she is interested. The breeding season for the canegrass dragon is from October to April. During that time, the female can lay between four and six

clutches A clutch is a mechanical device that engages and disengages power transmission, especially from a drive shaft to a driven shaft. In the simplest application, clutches connect and disconnect two rotating shafts (drive shafts or line shafts). ...

of eggs, between one and three eggs per clutch, in a small nest in moist sandy soil. The eggs will develop in approximately two to three weeks.

Diet

The canegrass dragon feeds during the day and is insectivorous. However, it has been found on some occasions to consume leafy greens and flowers.

Threats

Although the canegrass dragon is not currently listed as a conservation concern, it is still subject to those threats that threaten all Australian reptiles. These threats include introduced diseases, death on roads, habitat modification, degradation and loss, and feral predators such as foxes, dogs, cats, and even

cane toad The cane toad (''Rhinella marina''), also known as the giant neotropical toad or marine toad, is a large, terrestrial true toad native to South and mainland Central America, but which has been introduced to various islands throughout Oceania ...

s.Macdonald S (2014, August 18). "Canegrass dragon". Retrieved from Australian Reptile Online Database: http://www.arod.com.au/arod/reptilia/Squamata/Agamidae/Diporiphora/winneckei