The yellow-spotted tropical night lizard
or yellow-spotted night lizard (''Lepidophyma flavimaculatum'') 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
night lizard
Night lizards (family Xantusiidae) are a group of small scincomorph lizards, averaging from less than to over snout–vent length. Most species are viviparous (live-bearing), with the exception of those in the genus '' Cricosaura''. The family ...
(
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 ...
Xantusiidae).
Mexico
Mexico (Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guatema ...
, through Central America
Central America ( es, América Central or ) is a subregion of the Americas. Its boundaries are defined as bordering the United States to the north, Colombia to the south, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. ...
, south to Panama
Panama ( , ; es, link=no, Panamá ), officially the Republic of Panama ( es, República de Panamá), is a transcontinental country spanning the southern part of North America and the northern part of South America. It is bordered by Cos ...
. It includes two subspecies
In biological classification, subspecies is a rank below species, used for populations that live in different areas and vary in size, shape, or other physical characteristics (morphology), but that can successfully interbreed. Not all species ...
.[
]
Subspecies
Two subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies
In biological classification, subspecies is a rank below species, used for populations that live in different areas and vary in size, shape, or other physical characteristics (morphology), but that can successfully interbreed. Not all species ...
.[
*''Lepidophyma flavimaculatum flavimaculatum''
*''Lepidophyma flavimaculatum ophiophthalmum''
]
Reproduction
''L. flavimaculatum'' reproduces parthenogenetic
Parthenogenesis (; from the Greek grc, παρθένος, translit=parthénos, lit=virgin, label=none + grc, γένεσις, translit=génesis, lit=creation, label=none) is a natural form of asexual reproduction in which growth and development ...
ally.[ The female gives birth to live, fully developed young lizards. Before birth the ]egg cell
The egg cell, or ovum (plural ova), is the female reproductive cell, or gamete, in most anisogamous organisms (organisms that reproduce sexually with a larger, female gamete and a smaller, male one). The term is used when the female gamete is ...
s are not fertilized.[
]
Habitat and ecology
''L. flavimaculatum'' is a secretive, terrestrial and nocturnal lizard of tropical wet and moist forests, at altitudes from sea level to . Mostly found on the ground, it is occasionally found on tree trunks or beneath bark on standing trees. It feeds on small invertebrates.[
]
Fiction
The yellow-spotted night lizard is sometimes suggested to be the inspiration for the "yellow-spotted lizards" in the children's novel ''Holes'' by Louis Sachar
Louis Sachar ( ; born March 20, 1954) is an American young-adult mystery-comedy author. He is best known for the ''Wayside School'' series and the novel ''Holes''.
''Holes'' won the 1998 U.S. National Book Award for Young People's Literature . However, in the making of the movie adaptation
A film adaptation is the transfer of a work or story, in whole or in part, to a feature film. Although often considered a type of derivative work, film adaptation has been conceptualized recently by academic scholars such as Robert Stam as a dia ...
of the novel, the filmmakers used bearded dragons
''Pogona'' is a genus of reptiles containing six lizard species which are often known by the common name bearded dragons. The name "bearded dragon" refers to the underside of the throat (or "beard") of the lizard, which can turn black and gain we ...
and painted yellow spots on them, rather than using actual yellow-spotted night lizards. In both versions, the lizards are portrayed as animals that are aggressive toward humans and produce deadly venom, which is not true of either species.
References
Further reading
* AHA Duméril (1851). ''In'': Duméril AMC, Duméril AHA (1851). ''Catalogue methodique de la Collection des Reptiles du Muséum d'Histoire naturelle de Paris''. Paris: Gide et Baudry / Roret. 224 pp. (''Lepidophyma flavimaculatum'', new species, p. 138). (in French).
*Holmback, Erik (1984). "Parthenogenesis in the Central American night lizard ''Lepidophyma flavimaculatum'' at San Antonio Zoo". ''International Zoo Yearbook'' 23: 157–158.
* Liner EA (1994). ''Scientific and Common Names for the Amphibians and Reptiles of Mexico in English and Spanish: Nombres Científicos y Comunes en Ingles y Español de los Anfibios y los Reptiles de México''. Herpetological Circular No. 23. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAR). iii + 113 pp. (''Lepidophyma flavimaculatum''). (in English and Spanish).
* Schlüter U (2009). "''Die Gelbgefleckte Krokodil-Nachtechse'' (Lepidophyma flavimaculatum) ''im Terrarium'' ". ''Reptilia, Münster'' 14 (80): 70–74. (in German).
* Taylor EH (1955). "Additions to the Known Herpetological Fauna of Costa Rica with Comments on Other Species. No. II". ''University of Kansas Science Bulletin'' 37 (1): 499–575. (''Lepidophyma ophiophthalmum'', new species, pp. 558–562, Figure 15).
Yellow-spotted night lizard
Lizards of North America
Vertebrate parthenogenesis
Reptiles of Belize
Reptiles of Costa Rica
Reptiles of Guatemala
Reptiles of Honduras
Reptiles of Mexico
Reptiles of Nicaragua
Reptiles of Panama
Yellow-spotted night lizard
Yellow-spotted night lizard
Venomous lizards
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