''Monilesaurus'' is a
genus
Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...
of
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 ...
s in the
draconine clade
A clade (), also known as a monophyletic group or natural group, is a group of organisms that are monophyletic – that is, composed of a common ancestor and all its lineal descendants – on a phylogenetic tree. Rather than the English term, ...
of 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 ...
and is a new genus described in 2018.
''Monilesaurus''
The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org. Currently it consists of 4 species, with 2 new species and 2 species split from the genus ''
Calotes
''Calotes'' is a genus of lizards in the draconine clade of the family Agamidae. The genus contains 29 species. Some species are known as forest lizards, others as " bloodsuckers" due to their red heads, and yet others (namely '' C. versicolo ...
''.
Geographic range
The genus ''Monilesaurus'' is native to the
Western Ghats of India.
Species
Below species were split from
Calotes
''Calotes'' is a genus of lizards in the draconine clade of the family Agamidae. The genus contains 29 species. Some species are known as forest lizards, others as " bloodsuckers" due to their red heads, and yet others (namely '' C. versicolo ...
genus:
* ''
Monilesaurus ellioti'' – Elliot's forest lizard
* ''
Monilesaurus rouxii
''Monilesaurus rouxii'', commonly known as Roux's forest lizard, Roux's forest calotes, or the forest blood sucker, is a species of arboreal, diurnal, agamid lizard, which is endemic to hills of peninsular India. In July 2018, it was proposed ...
'' – Roux's forest lizard, Roux's forest calotes, forest blood sucker
Below species are described newly under this genus:
* ''
Monilesaurus acanthocephalus'' – spiny-headed forest lizard
* ''
Monilesaurus montanus'' – montane forest lizard
References
Further reading
External links
* https://biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.4482.3.1
* https://india.mongabay.com/2018/10/26/photo-feature-meet-the-new-species-of-dragon-lizards-from-the-western-ghats/
* http://novataxa.blogspot.com/2018/09/monilesaurus.html
* https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/2-new-species-of-lizards-found-in-western-ghats/articleshow/65986486.cms
{{Taxonbar, from=Q58718181
Lizard genera
Taxa named by Veerappan Deepak