Calotes maria

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Calotes maria
CalotesFord.jpg
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Agamidae
Genus: Calotes
Species:
C. maria
Binomial name
Calotes maria
Gray, 1845[1]

Calotes maria, called commonly the Khasi Hills forest lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Agamidae. The species is endemic to South Asia.

Geographic range[]

C. maria is found in India (Khasi Hills in Meghalaya, and Mizoram),[2] and may also be found in adjacent areas of Bangladesh (Chittagong Hill Tracts and Sylhet Division).

Etymology[]

The specific name, maria, may be in honor of English conchologist Maria Emma Gray, the wife of John Edward Gray, the describer of this species.[3]

Morphology[]

Physical Structure: Two parallel rows of compressed scales on the head just above tympanum. Has extra flap of skin on the side of the abdomen.

Color Pattern: Body color yellowish green with blue patterns on the sides. Iris is orange-yellow with black pupil. Tail white and having brown patterns on it.

Length: Maximum: ?, Common: 11 cm. (Snout to vent 6 cm.).

Maximum published weight: ? g.

Vernacular names[]

Bengali: খাসি রক্তচোষা, খাসিয়া গিরিগিটি (Khasia girigiti ) (proposed)

English: Khasi Hills forest lizard and Khasi Hills bloodsucker.

Hindi, Assamese and Mizo: ?

Behavior[]

C. maria is terrestrial, arboreal, and diurnal.

Habitat[]

C. maria is found in many types of forested land, on tree trunks, branches, and green leaves. It prefers hilly regions and dense forest.

Diet[]

C. maria feeds on crickets, grasshoppers, moths and other insects.

Reproduction[]

C. maria is oviparous; more or less like Calotes versicolor. About 10-20 eggs are laid by the adult female and buried in moist soil. The incubation period is about 6–7 weeks.[4]

Uses[]

C. maria has no known practical uses. It plays a rôle in the ecosystem by eating various types of insects and otherwise.

Threat to humans[]

C. maria is non-venomous and completely harmless to humans.

IUCN threat status[]

C. maria is rated "Not Evaluated (NE)" by the IUCN.

References[]

  1. ^ Gray JE (1845). Catalogue of the Specimens of Lizards in the Collection of the British Museum. London: Trustees of the British Museum. (Edward Newman, printer). xxvii + 289 pp. (Calotes maria, new species, p. 243).
  2. ^ Calotes maria at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 22 July 2014.
  3. ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Calotes maria, p. 168).
  4. ^ http://faunaofindia.nic.in/PDFVolumes/hpg/007/index.pdf

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. (Calotes maria, pp. 322–323).
  • Boulenger GA (1890). The Fauna of British India, Including Ceylon and Burma. Reptilia and Batrachia. London: Secretary of State for India in Council. (Taylor and Francis, printers). xviii + 541 pp. (Calotes maria, pp. 136–137).
  • Günther ACLG (1864). The Reptiles of British India. London: The Ray Society. (Taylor and Francis, printers). xxvii + 452 pp. + Plates I-XXVI. (Calotes maria, pp. 144–145).
  • Smith MA (1935). The Fauna of British India, Including Ceylon and Burma. Reptilia and Amphibia. Vol. II.—Sauria. London: Secretary of State for India in Council. (Taylor and Francis, printers). xiii + 440 pp. + Plate I + 2 maps. (Calotes maria, pp. 193–194).


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