Diploderma swinhonis
Diploderma swinhonis, also known commonly as the Taiwan japalure,[2] Swinhoe's japalure, Swinhoe's lizard, and Swinhoe's tree lizard (Chinese: 斯文豪氏攀木蜥蜴), is a species of lizard in the family Agamidae. The species is native to Taiwan.[2][3][4]
| Diploderma swinhonis | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Agamidae |
| Genus: | Diploderma |
| Species: | D. swinhonis |
| Binomial name | |
| Diploderma swinhonis (Günther, 1864) | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
Etymology
Both the specific name, swinhonis, and some of the common names are in honour of English naturalist Robert Swinhoe.[5]
Geographic range
D. swinhonis is native to Taiwan, where it is found on the islands of Taiwan, Orchid Island, Green Island, and Xiaoliuqiu.[3] The species has been found in Japan, possibly carried there by humans.[6]
Behaviour and habitat
D. swinhonis is arboreal and lives on trees and on the ground at altitudes below 1,500 m (4,900 ft).[7] The primary diet consists of ants, cockroaches, and other small insects. The males perform a push-up display with relatively fixed pattern when approached by competitors and predators.
Description
The total length (including tail) of D. swinhonis reaches 31 cm (12 in). The body is 8 cm (3.1 in) long. The back is brown. The dewlap is black with white spots and intensifies when aroused. Diploderma swinhonis is sexually dimorphic. Males have a brighter color than females, have a yellow stripe on each side of the body[3] and are larger.[7] The inside of the mouth is greyish-white or black.
Diet
D. swinhonis feeds on insects and small invertebrates.[3]
Reproduction
D. swinhonis is oviparous.[2] The eggs are white and oval. There are around three to five eggs in a clutch.[8]
References
- Shang G (2019). "Diploderma swinhonis". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T103308497A103308500. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T103308497A103308500.en. Downloaded on 28 July 2020.
- Diploderma swinhonis at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 19 June 2016.
- "Diploderma swinhonis (Günther, 1864)". 臺灣生命大百科 (in Chinese). Academia Sinica. Retrieved 2016-05-07.
- Shao KT (editor). "Diploderma swinhonis (Günther, 1864)". Catalogue of life in Taiwan. Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taiwan. Retrieved 19 June 2016.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
- Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. xiii + 296 pp. (Japalura swinhonis, p. 258).
- "Japalura swinhonis ". Invasive Species of Japan. National Institute for Environmental Studies, Japan. Retrieved 2016-06-08.
- Kuo, Chi-Yun; Lin, Yu-Teh; Lin, Yao-Sung (2009). "Sexual Size and Shape Dimorphism in an Agamid Lizard, Japalura swinhonis (Squamata: Lacertilia: Agamidae)" (PDF). Zoological Studies. 48 (3): 351–361. Retrieved 2016-09-11.
- Norval, Gerrut; Mao, Jean-Jay; Slater, Kerry (2011-10-19). "Notes on the reproduction of the Swinhoe's tree lizard, Japalura swinhonis Günther, 1864, (Squamata: Agamidae) from southwestern Taiwan" (PDF). Herpetology Notes. Societas Europaea Herpetologica. 4: 319–324. Retrieved 2016-09-12.
Further reading
- Boulenger GA (1885). Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum (Natural History). Second Edition. Volume I. ... Agamidæ. London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xii + 436 pp. + Plates I–XXXII. (Japalura swinhonis, pp. 309–310).
- Günther ACLG (1864). The Reptiles of British India. London: The Ray Society. (Taylor and Francis, printers). xxvii + 452 pp. + Plates I-XXVI. (Japalura swinhonis, new species, pp. 133–134 + Plate XIV, figure B).
- Wang C-M, Hsu J-Y, Huang W-S (2014). "Japalura swinhonis (Swinhole's [sic] Japalura) and Takydromus sauteri (Sauter's Grass Lizard). Predation". Herpetological Review 45 (3): 501–502.