Draco indochinensis

Draco indochinensis, also known as the Indochinese flying lizard or Indochinese gliding lizard, is a species of agamid lizard endemic to South-east Asia (Cambodia and southern Vietnam).[1][3]

Draco indochinensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Agamidae
Genus: Draco
Species:
D. indochinensis
Binomial name
Draco indochinensis

Description

It has earlier been considered synonymous to or a subspecies of Draco blanfordii.[4][5] However, phylogenetic data and other supporting morphological features indicate that it is a separate species.[6] The dewlap of the male of this species is widest at its base and decreases in width over its entire length and terminates in a sharp point, as opposed to the distal expansion of the dewlap seen in Draco blanfordii. This feature may be shared with other Draco lizards. Both sexes have a thick, black transverse band that extends across the posterior gular region from one throat lappet to the other. Dark radial bands on the dorsal surface of the patagia of both sexes is also another feature.

The snout-to-vent length is about 108 millimetres (4.25 in). It has a moderately slender body and the nostrils are orientated upwards. The dorsal surface is mottled brownish-grey with darker speckling. The patagium (winglike membrane) is dark brown near the edge and paler brown near the body, with six transverse pale-edged bands. The ventral surface is yellow or pinkish, with the gular pouch a creamy yellow anteriorly, and bluish-grey and black posteriorly. The underside of the patagium is yellowish-brown.[7]

Distribution and habitat

Draco indochinensis is native to southeastern and eastern Cambodia and southern Vietnam. It is found in evergreen forests at altitudes of up to 500 metres (1,640 ft). It is an arboreal species and seldom descends to the ground. Little is known of its diet and behaviour.[7]

References
  1. Nguyen, T.Q. & Neang, T. (2018). "Draco indochinensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T104653890A104653980. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T104653890A104653980.en.
  2. Smith, M.A. 1928. "Description of a new species of Draco from the Indo-Chinese region". Annals and Magazine of Natural History 10 (2): 248.
  3. Draco indochinensis at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 14 April 2019.
  4. Inger, R.F. (1983). "Morphological and ecological variation in the flying lizards (genus Draco)". Fieldiana Zoology. New Series. 18: 1–35.
  5. Musters, C.J.M. (1983). "Taxonomy of the genus Draco L. (Agamidae, Lacertilia, Reptilia)". Zoologische Verhandelingen. 199: 1–120.
  6. McGuire, Jimmy A.; Heang, Kiew Bong (February 2001). "Phylogenetic systematics of Southeast Asian flying lizards (Iguania: Agamidae: Draco) as inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequence data". Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 72 (2): 203–229. doi:10.1006/bijl.2000.0487. [p. 220]
  7. Das, Indraneil (2015). A Field Guide To The Reptiles Of South-East Asia. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 184. ISBN 978-1-4729-2059-1.
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