Ctenosaura
| Ctenosaura | |
|---|---|
 | |
| a spinytail iguana in Mexico | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Lacertilia |
| Family: | Iguanidae |
| Genus: | Ctenosaura Wiegmann, 1828 |
Ctenosaura is a lizard genus commonly known as spinytail iguanas or Ctenosaurs. The genus is part of the large lizard family, Iguanidae and is native to Mexico and Central America. The name is derived from two Greek words: ctenos (κτενός), meaning "comb" (referring to the comblike spines on the lizard's back and tail), and saura (σαύρα), meaning "lizard".
Description
The species range in size (total length, including the tail) from about 12.5 centimetres (4.9 in) to well over 1 metre (39 in). The distinctive feature of this genus is the presence of enlarged, spiny scales on the tail.
Diet
Ctenosaurs are generally omnivorous, feeding on fruits, flowers, foliage, and small animals.
Captivity
C. similis and C. quinquecarinata are popular as pets.
Invasive species
At least two species, Ctenosaura pectinata and Ctenosaura similis, have been introduced into southern areas of Texas and Florida.
Speed
The world record sprint speed for lizards (21.5 miles/h or 34.6 km/h) was attained by the Costa Rican spiny-tailed iguana (Ctenosaura similis).[1][2]
Species
The genus Ctenosaura represents the most diverse group of iguanas with 15 currently recognized species and at least two unrecognized species.[3][4] These species inhabit lowland dry forests, below 1,200 metres (3,900 ft) elevation, on both coasts of Mexico and Central America.[3] All species of Ctenosaura fall within one of seven clades.[3] Distributions of these clades fall geographically within well established areas.[3] Closely related species show allopatry whereas species from divergent clades show sympatry.[3]
| Species | Common name | Authority | Geographic range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ctenosaura acanthura | northeastern spinytail iguana | (Shaw, 1802)[5] | Eastern Mexico |
| Ctenosaura alfredschmidti | Campeche spinytail iguana | Köhler, 1995 | Mexico and Guatemala |
| Ctenosaura bakeri | Baker's spinytail iguana | Stejneger, 1901 | Utila island off Honduras |
| Ctenosaura clarki | Balsas armed lizard | Bailey, 1928[6] | Western Mexico |
| Ctenosaura conspicuosa | San Esteban iguana | Grismer, 1999 | San Estiban Island, Gulf of California |
| Ctenosaura defensor | Yucatán spinytail iguana | (Cope, 1866)[7] | Southern Mexico |
| Ctenosaura flavidorsalis | yellowback spinytail iguana | Köhler & Klemmer, 1994 | Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala |
| Ctenosaura hemilopha | cape spinytail iguana | (Cope, 1863)[8] | Southern half of Baja California, Mexico |
| Ctenosaura macrolopha | Sonora black iguana | Grismer, 1999 | Sonora, Mexico |
| Ctenosaura melanosterna | black-chested spinytail iguana | Buckley & Axtell, 1997 | Honduras |
| Ctenosaura nolascensis | San Pedro Nolasco iguana | Grismer, 1999 | San Pedro Nolasco Island, Gulf of California |
| Ctenosaura oaxacana | Oaxacan spinytail iguana | Köhler & Hasbun, 2001 | Oaxaca, Mexico |
| Ctenosaura oedirhina | Roatán spinytail iguana | de Queiroz, 1987 | Roatán, Honduras |
| Ctenosaura palearis | Guatemalan spinytail iguana | Stejneger, 1899 | Guatemala |
| Ctenosaura pectinata | Mexican spinytail iguana | (Wiegmann, 1834)[9] | Western Mexico. Introduced to southern areas of Texas and Florida. |
| Ctenosaura praeocularis | Honduran club tail iguana | Hasbún & Köhler, 2009 | SE Honduras |
| Ctenosaura quinquecarinata | club tail iguana | Gray, 1842[10] | Nicaragua and Costa Rica. |
| Ctenosaura similis | black spinytail iguana | Gray, 1831[11] | Mexico, Central America, and Colombia. Introduced to southern Florida. |
References
- ↑ Garland, T., Jr. (1984), "Physiological correlates of locomotory performance in a lizard: an allometric approach" (PDF), American Journal of Physiology, 247 (5 Pt 2): R806–R815, PMID 6238543
- ↑ Malfatti, Mark (2007), "A Look at the Genus Ctenosaura: Meet the World's fastest lizard and its kin", Reptiles Magazine, 15 (11): 64–73
- 1 2 3 4 5 Buckley, Larry; Pagel, Katelyn; Villela, Oscar (2007), "Evolution of Spiny-tailed Iguanas (Genus Ctenosaura): How Identification of Species Groups and their Relationships Can Help with Conservation Priorities", Iguana: Journal of the International Iguana Society, 14 (4): 248–251
- ↑ "Ctenosaura". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2 January 2008.
- ↑ "Ctenosaura acanthura". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2 January 2008.
- ↑ "Ctenosaura clarki". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2 January 2008.
- ↑ "Ctenosaura defensor". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2 January 2008.
- ↑ "Ctenosaura hemilopha". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2 January 2008.
- ↑ "Ctenosaura pectinata". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2 January 2008.
- ↑ "Ctenosaura quinquecarinata". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2 January 2008.
- ↑ "Ctenosaura similis". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2 January 2008.
- Genus Ctenosaura at The Reptile Database
- Frost, D.E. and R.E. Etheridge (1989) A Phylogenetic Analysis and Taxonomy of Iguanian Lizards (Reptilia: Squamata). Univ. Kansas Mus. Nat. Hist. Misc. Publ. 81
- Frost, D.R., R. Etheridge, D. Janies and T.A. Titus (2001) Total evidence, sequence alignment, evolution of Polychrotid lizards, and a reclassification of the Iguania (Squamata: Iguania). American Museum Novitates 3343: 38 pp.
- Garland, T., Jr. 1984. Physiological correlates of locomotory performance in a lizard: an allometric approach. Am. J. Physiol. 247 (Regulatory Integrative Comp. Physiol. 16):R806-R815. PDF
External links
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