Ctenosaura quinquecarinata
Ctenosaura quinquecarinata | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Iguania |
Family: | Iguanidae |
Genus: | Ctenosaura |
Species: | C. quinquecarinata
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Binomial name | |
Ctenosaura quinquecarinata | |
Synonyms | |
Ctenosaura quinquecarinata, commonly known as the Oaxacan spinytail iguana or the five-keeled spiny-tailed iguana is a species of lizard in the family Iguanidae native to Central America.
Geographic range[]
It is found in Costa Rica and Nicaragua.[1] Other sources list it also from Mexico and El Salvador.[3]
Habitat[]
Its natural habitat is tropical dry forests.[1]
Conservation status[]
It is threatened in its native range by habitat loss.[1]
Taxonomy and etymology[]
Ctenosaura quinquecarinata was first described by zoologist John Edward Gray in 1842 as Cyclura quinquecarinata; 32 years later it was redesignated by Marie Firmin Bocourt as Ctenosaura quinquecarinata. The generic name, Ctenosaura, 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".[4] Its specific name quinquecarinata is a combination of two Latin words: quinque meaning "five" and carinata meaning "keeled" and refers to the five rows of scales on the animal's tail.
Description[]
The tail on this species is heavily armored with five rings of spines forming longitudinal ridges. Males of the species grow to a length of 35 centimeters (14 in) whereas females attain 18.5 centimeters (7.3 in). Like most Ctenosaura the iguanas are born a bright green color fading to brown as the animal ages. The females tend to turn a uniform drab brown in color, and males develop tones of black, blue and yellow on their bodies and heads over the brown background.
Threats[]
Total population size is not known, but it is estimated that there may be fewer than 2,500 mature individuals.[1] It is threatened by habitat loss through deforestation, overcollection through an unregulated exploitation for the pet trade,[1] and it is even hunted by humans as a food item.
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f Reynoso, V.H., Ubeda, M., Vázquez-Cruz, M., Rivera-Arroyo, R.C., Malone, C.L. & Grant, T.D. (2020). "Ctenosaura quinquecarinata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T44193A2993977. Retrieved 12 July 2020.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
- ^ "Ctenosaura quinquecarinata". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2 January 2008.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Ctenosaura quinquecarinata at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 13 November 2015.
- ^ Malfatti, Mark (2007). "A look at the genus Ctenosaura: meet the world's fastest lizard and its kin". Reptiles Magazine. 15 (11): 64–73.
Further reading[]
- Gray, J.E. 1842. Description of some new species of Reptiles, chiefly from the British Museum collection. Zoological Miscellany 57-59. (Cyclura quinquecarinata, p. 59.)
- IUCN Red List data deficient species
- Ctenosaura
- Reptiles of Costa Rica
- Reptiles of Nicaragua
- Lizards of Central America
- Reptiles described in 1842
- Taxa named by John Edward Gray