''Laudakia nupta'' is a species of lizard from Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. It was described in 1843. There are 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 ...

, ''Laudakia nupta nupta'' and ''Laudakia nupta fusca''.

Taxonomy

''L. nupta'' was described by Filippo De Filippi in 1843. Its taxonomy has been moved many times, having previously been classified under the genera ''Agama'' and '' Stellio''. The current scientific name comes from the past participle of the Latin verb ''nūbo'', meaning to cover or veil. The meaning shifted over time, coming to mean a bride that covers herself for the groom. The bride's crown is a reference to the lizard's crown-like crest. ''Laudakia nupta nupta'' is commonly known as large-scaled agama or large-scaled rock agama, and ''Laudakia nupta fusca'' is commonly known as yellow-headed rock agama.

Description

''L. nupta'' is a large sized lizard with a heavy head and nostrils on the

canthus rostralis In snakes and amphibians, the canthus, canthal ridge or ''canthus rostralis'',Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. ''The Dangerous Snakes of Africa''. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. . is the angle between the flat crown of the head and the ...

. The body is moderately depressed, and there are vertebral enlarged scales covering most of the lizard's back. It has a long tail with segments of three whorls. ''L. nupta'' has

oviparous Oviparous animals are animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive method of most fish, amphibians, most reptiles, and all pterosaurs, dinosaurs (including birds), and ...

reproduction. The subspecies ''L. nupta nupt''a is yellowish or reddish brown, and the vertebral enlarged scales are strongly keeled. The subspecies ''L. nupta fusca'' has no nuchal fold, and the vertebral enlarged scales are strongly mucronate.

Diet

Plants are the main source of food for ''L. nupta''. ''L. nupta fusca'' is omnivorous and are known to consume ''

Daphne oleoides ''Daphne oleoides'' is a shrub of the family Thymelaeaceae. It is native to the southern Europe, northern Africa, and Asia Minor Anatolia, tr, Anadolu Yarımadası), and the Anatolian plateau, also known as Asia Minor, is a large penins ...

'', beetles, and ants.

Habitat and distribution

''L. nupta'' is typically found in western

Asia Asia (, ) is one of the world's most notable geographical regions, which is either considered a continent in its own right or a subcontinent of Eurasia, which shares the continental landmass of Afro-Eurasia with Africa. Asia covers an area ...

. The subspecies ''L. nupta nupta'' can be found in eastern Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. It resides in large limestone rocks and outcrops with deep crevices, and in man-made structures like mud-brick homes and old buildings. The subspecies ''L. nupta fusca'' can be found in southern Pakistan and southern Iran.

References

External links

* {{Taxonbar, from=Q3218582 nupta Lizards of Asia Reptiles of Afghanistan Reptiles of Iran Reptiles of Iraq Reptiles of Pakistan Reptiles described in 1843 Taxa named by Filippo De Filippi