Amphibolurus
Amphibolurus is a genus of lizards in the family Agamidae. The genus is endemic to Australia.
| Amphibolurus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Tree dragon Amphibolurus muricatus | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Agamidae |
| Subfamily: | Amphibolurinae |
| Genus: | Amphibolurus Wagler, 1830 |
Description
Characteristics of the genus Amphibolurus include:
- Moderate size [snout–vent length 8.4–13.5 cm (3.3–5.3 in)]
- Long limbs and long tail
- One to five crests consisting of enlarged, sometimes spinose scales (one nuchal and vertebral crest, sometime one or two dorsal crests on each side)
- Tympanum exposed
- One to 11 femoral pores and one to three preanal pores on each side
- Pattern usually includes three broad pale dorsal stripes, and some blotches on a usually brown ground coloration
- Different from the similar species Lophognathus and Gowidon due to more hetrogeneous arrangement of scales. They also differ from Gowidon due to more dorsal rows of enlarged, spinose scales.[1]
Habitat
Amphibolurus lizards inhabit open forests, woodlands, and the vegetation around water courses in southern, eastern, and central Australia.[2]
Behaviour
Species in the genus Amphibolurus are partially arboreal and are often found perching on trunks and branches. Lizards of this genus are swift and shy, and when disturbed, they can engage in bipedal running.
Species
The following species are recognized as being valid, according to the Reptile Database.[3]
- Amphibolurus burnsi (Wells & Wellington, 1985)
- Amphibolurus centralis (Loveridge, 1933)
- Amphibolurus muricatus (White, 1790)
- Amphibolurus norrisi Witten & Coventry, 1984
Nota bene: A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Amphibolurus.
References
- Melville, Jane; Wilson, Steve (2019). Dragon Lizards of Australia. Musems Victoria Publishing. p. 81. ISBN 978-1-921833-49-6.
- Melville, Jane; Wilson, Steve (2019). Dragon Lizards of Australia. Musems Victoria Publishing. p. 81. ISBN 978-1-921833-49-6.
- Genus Amphibolurus at The Reptile Database
Further reading
- Wagler J (1830). Natürliches System der AMPHIBIEN, mit vorangehender Classification der SÄUGTHIERE und VÖGEL. Ein Beitrag zur vergleichenden Zoologie. Munich, Stuttgart and Tübingen: J.G. Cotta. vi + 354 pp. + one plate. (Amphibolurus, new genus, p. 145). (in German and Latin).
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