Salea
Encyclopedia
Salea is a genus of agamid
lizard found in South Asia
. It has at least four members.
naked. Back and sides covered with strongly keeled
scales
of moderate size; several larger scales are intermixed with the others on the side; the scales form longitudinal series, and their tips arc directed backwards; bead without any spines. A crest on the back; gular sac: none. Tail slightly compressed at the base, with keeled scales below, which arc almost as broad as long. The head is tetrahedral, covered with small irregular shields above, which are nearly as large as the labials. Nostrils lateral, in the hinder part of a small shield. Canthus rostralis is very distinct; superciliary edge not prominent; eye of moderate size; tympanum as large as the eye. The trunk is slightly compressed, and covered with scales of moderate size which are sharply keeled and acutely pointed, the keels forming continuous longitudinal lines; the ventral and gular scales
are similar in shape and size to those on the sides. There arc three larger scales, separate from one another, and placed in the same longitudinal line somewhat below the middle of the sides. Throat without pouch or fold; dorsal crest more or less developed. Tail long, tapering, slightly compressed at the base, uniformly covered with rhombic keeled scales, those at its lower side having very strong keels. The limbs are well developed; the fourth hind toe is not much longer than the third.
Agamidae
Agamids, lizards of the family Agamidae, include more than 300 species in Africa, Asia, Australia, and a few in Southern Europe. Many species are commonly called dragons or dragon lizards. Phylogenetically they may be sister to the Iguanidae, and have a similar appearance. Agamids usually have...
lizard found in South Asia
South Asia
South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities , also includes the adjoining countries to the west and the east...
. It has at least four members.
Description
The tympanumEardrum
The eardrum, or tympanic membrane, is a thin membrane that separates the external ear from the middle ear in humans and other tetrapods. Its function is to transmit sound from the air to the ossicles inside the middle ear. The malleus bone bridges the gap between the eardrum and the other ossicles...
naked. Back and sides covered with strongly keeled
Keeled scales
Keeled scales refer to reptile scales that, rather than being smooth, have a ridge down the center that may or may not extend to the tip of the scale, making them rough to the touch...
scales
Scale (zoology)
In most biological nomenclature, a scale is a small rigid plate that grows out of an animal's skin to provide protection. In lepidopteran species, scales are plates on the surface of the insect wing, and provide coloration...
of moderate size; several larger scales are intermixed with the others on the side; the scales form longitudinal series, and their tips arc directed backwards; bead without any spines. A crest on the back; gular sac: none. Tail slightly compressed at the base, with keeled scales below, which arc almost as broad as long. The head is tetrahedral, covered with small irregular shields above, which are nearly as large as the labials. Nostrils lateral, in the hinder part of a small shield. Canthus rostralis is very distinct; superciliary edge not prominent; eye of moderate size; tympanum as large as the eye. The trunk is slightly compressed, and covered with scales of moderate size which are sharply keeled and acutely pointed, the keels forming continuous longitudinal lines; the ventral and gular scales
Gular scales
Gular scales on a snake are scales on the underside of a snake's head which are to be found in the central or throat region. These are in contact with the first ventral scales of a snake's body and are flanked by the chin shields.-See also:...
are similar in shape and size to those on the sides. There arc three larger scales, separate from one another, and placed in the same longitudinal line somewhat below the middle of the sides. Throat without pouch or fold; dorsal crest more or less developed. Tail long, tapering, slightly compressed at the base, uniformly covered with rhombic keeled scales, those at its lower side having very strong keels. The limbs are well developed; the fourth hind toe is not much longer than the third.
Species
Listed alphabetically- Salea anamallayanaSalea anamallayanaThe Anaimalai Spiny Lizard is a species of agamid lizard found in the hill forests of Southern India up to an elevation of 7000 feet....
(BeddomeRichard Henry BeddomeColonel Richard Henry Beddome was a British military officer in India, chief conservator of the Madras Forest Department and a naturalist...
, 1878) – Anaimalai Spiny Lizard - Salea gularis BlythEdward BlythEdward Blyth was an English zoologist and pharmacist. He was one of the founders of zoology in India....
, 1853 - Salea horsfieldiiSalea horsfieldiiHorsfield's Spiny Lizard is a species of agama found in southern India in the Nilgiri and Palni Hills.-Description:From C. A. L. Gunther The Reptiles of British India....
Gray, 1845 – Horsfield's Spiny Lizard - Salea kakhienensisSalea kakhienensisThe Kakhyen Hills Spiny Lizard Salea kakhienensis is a species of Agamidae found in S China , Myanmar , India, N Thailand.Type locality: Ponsee, Western Yunnan.-References:...
(Anderson, 1879) – Kakhyen Hills Spiny Lizard, Burmese Mountain Agamid