Tropidurus
Encyclopedia
The reptile genus
Tropidurus includes several species
of Neotropical ground lizards (family
Tropiduridae
). It is the type genus of this family of iguania
n lizards. They are found on the South America
n mainland, especially in the Amazon Rainforest
but also in more arid
regions. There is no widely-used common name specific to this genus; in their native range they are simply called "iguana
s" as are most similar animals. If anything, the Brazil
ian term calango is used to specifically refer to lizards of genus Tropidurus.
There are at least 28 described species, but new ones continue to be discovered occasionally. An additional seven species – the lava lizards endemic to the Galapagos Islands
– are sometimes placed here too, but more commonly separated in the genus Microlophus
instead. Similarly, the Green Thornytail Iguana and Tropical Thornytail Iguana
are now often separated in the minor but probably distinct Uracentron
lineage instead. Here, these two genera are kept separate, while Platynotus, Strobilurus and Tapinurus are included in Tropidurus.
Males and females of all Tropidurus species are marked differently. The male is usually much larger than the female, and its body is more brightly coloured and distinctly patterned. The average size of lizards varies greatly from habitat
to habitat as does the pattern of body markings. Markings vary considerably, even among individuals of the same species. Like many lizards, they show changes of colour with mood and temperature.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
Tropidurus includes several species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of Neotropical ground lizards (family
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
Tropiduridae
Tropiduridae
The Tropiduridae is a family of iguanid lizards native to South America and the West Indies. Commonly known as Neotropical ground lizards, most are ground-dwelling animals, and the family includes some lizards adapted to relatively cold climates, including those of the Andes mountains and Tierra...
). It is the type genus of this family of iguania
Iguania
Iguania is the suborder of Squamata that contains the iguanas, chameleons, agamids, and "New World lizards" such as anoles and Phrynosomatidae...
n lizards. They are found on the South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
n mainland, especially in the Amazon Rainforest
Amazon Rainforest
The Amazon Rainforest , also known in English as Amazonia or the Amazon Jungle, is a moist broadleaf forest that covers most of the Amazon Basin of South America...
but also in more arid
Arid
A region is said to be arid when it is characterized by a severe lack of available water, to the extent of hindering or even preventing the growth and development of plant and animal life...
regions. There is no widely-used common name specific to this genus; in their native range they are simply called "iguana
Iguana
Iguana is a herbivorous genus of lizard native to tropical areas of Central America and the Caribbean. The genus was first described in 1768 by Austrian naturalist Josephus Nicolaus Laurenti in his book Specimen Medicum, Exhibens Synopsin Reptilium Emendatam cum Experimentis circa Venena...
s" as are most similar animals. If anything, the Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian term calango is used to specifically refer to lizards of genus Tropidurus.
There are at least 28 described species, but new ones continue to be discovered occasionally. An additional seven species – the lava lizards endemic to the Galapagos Islands
Galápagos Islands
The Galápagos Islands are an archipelago of volcanic islands distributed around the equator in the Pacific Ocean, west of continental Ecuador, of which they are a part.The Galápagos Islands and its surrounding waters form an Ecuadorian province, a national park, and a...
– are sometimes placed here too, but more commonly separated in the genus Microlophus
Microlophus
Microlophus is a genus of Tropidurid lizards. There are twenty recognized species in the genus, and seven of these are endemic to the Galápagos Islands where popularly known as lava lizards...
instead. Similarly, the Green Thornytail Iguana and Tropical Thornytail Iguana
Tropical Thornytail Iguana
The Tropical Thornytail Iguana or Amazon Thornytail Iguana, Uracentron flaviceps, is an elusive species of medium sized arboreal lizard found in the tropical lowlands of the Amazon Rainforest. The species was described by French zoologist Alphone Guichenot in 1855...
are now often separated in the minor but probably distinct Uracentron
Uracentron
Uracentron is a genus of Tropidurid lizards. It contains only two described species at present.Genus Uracentron*Uracentron azureum*Uracentron flaviceps...
lineage instead. Here, these two genera are kept separate, while Platynotus, Strobilurus and Tapinurus are included in Tropidurus.
Males and females of all Tropidurus species are marked differently. The male is usually much larger than the female, and its body is more brightly coloured and distinctly patterned. The average size of lizards varies greatly from habitat
Habitat
* Habitat , a place where a species lives and grows*Human habitat, a place where humans live, work or play** Space habitat, a space station intended as a permanent settlement...
to habitat as does the pattern of body markings. Markings vary considerably, even among individuals of the same species. Like many lizards, they show changes of colour with mood and temperature.