Ctenophorus tjantjalka

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Ochre Dragon
Ctenophorus tjantjalka distribution.png
Ctenophorus tjantjalka habitats
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Agamidae
Genus: Ctenophorus
Species:
C. tjantjalka
Binomial name
Ctenophorus tjantjalka
Johnston, 1992 [2] [3]

Ctenophorus tjantjalka, also known as the ochre dragon, [2] [4] [1] is a species of agamid lizard occurring on low, weathered, crumbling outcrops, and stony hills in arid South Australia, from the Painted Hills north-west to the base of the Everard Ranges. [4]

Contents

Taxonomy

Ctenophorus tjantjalka is a saxicolous ecomorph, agamid lizard, belonging to the Ctenophporus decresii group.

Scientific Classification
Domain Eukaryota
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Reptilia
Order Squamata
Suborder Iguana
Family Agamidae
Genus Ctenophorus
SpeciesC. tjantjalka

Description

C. tjantjalka or Ochre Dragon is characterized as a robust, moderate-sized lizard which differs from other Ctenophorus species on the basis of having the smallest snout length (73mm), lack of banding on tail, and presence of vertebral keel. [5] The body of the lizard is depressed with proportionately large forelimbs. [6]

Habitat And Distribution

The physical and behavioral traits of the Ctenophorus species vary depending on their respective habitats within Australia. [7] This lizard inhabits the interior regions of South Australia, widespread between the Idulkana Range and Oodnadatta in the North, and Coober Pedy and Davenport Range in the South. [8]

All specimens are found located either within or at close proximity to rocky areas. [8]

Behavior And Diet

Members of the C. Decresii Species group portray sexually dimorphic dorsal coloration. [9] Male C. Tjantjalka are uniform light blue with salmon flanks and lack the dark lateral bands on the tail, while females have presence of pale spots. [10]

They feed on ants in arid zones. [11] Ants constitute of majority of the diet by percentage, while grasshoppers, termites, hermipterans, scorpions, spiders, beetles, and wasps are eaten in a smaller amount. [12]

Common Predators of the Ctenophorus are Brown falcons, Australian Kestrels, Bustards, Large snakes and the monitor lizards. [13]

References

  1. 1 2 Melville, J.; Hutchinson, M.; Robertson, P.; Michael, D. (2018). "Ctenophorus tjantjalka". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2018: e.T170388A83322812. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T170388A83322812.en . Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 "Ctenophorus tjantjalka Johnston, 1992". Atlas of Living Australia . Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  3. ↑ "Ctenophorus tjantjalka Johnston, 1992". The Reptile Database. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  4. 1 2 Wilson, S., Swan, G. (2013) A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia, New Holland Publishers, Sydney, New South Wales, ISBN   9781921517280
  5. ↑ Wilson, S. K., & Swan, G. (2013). A complete guide to reptiles of Australia. New Holland Publishers.
  6. ↑ Johnston, G.R. (1992). "Ctenophorus Tjantjalka, A New Dragon Lizard (Lacertilia: Agamidae) From Northern South Australia". Record. S. Aust. Museum: 52–54.
  7. ↑ Ramos, Jose A.; Peters, Richard A. (10 December 2021). "Territorial Displays of the Ctenophorus decresii Complex: A Story of Local Adaptations". Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. 9. doi: 10.3389/fevo.2021.731705 . ISSN   2296-701X.
  8. 1 2 Johnston, G.R. (1992). "Ctenophorus Tjantjalka, A New Dragon Lizard (Lacertilia: Agamidae) From Northern South Australia". Record. S. Aust. Museum: 54.
  9. ↑ "Coloration of Lizards".
  10. ↑ Johnston, G.R. (1992). "Ctenophorus Tjantjalka, A New Dragon Lizard (Lacertilia: Agamidae) From Northern South Australia". Record. S. Aust. Museum: 54.
  11. ↑ Abensperg-Traun, Max; Steven, Dion (March 1997). "Ant- and termite-eating in Australian mammals and lizards: a comparison" . Australian Journal of Ecology. 22 (1): 9–17. Bibcode:1997AusEc..22....9A. doi:10.1111/j.1442-9993.1997.tb00637.x. ISSN   0307-692X.
  12. ↑ R. Pianka, Eric (2013). "Notes On The Ecology And Natural History Of Two Uncommon Terrestrial Agamid Lizards C. Clayi And C. Fordi In The Great Victoria Desert Of Western Australia". The Western Australian Naturalist 28:85-93: 90.
  13. ↑ R. Pianka, Eric (2013). "Notes On The Ecology And Natural History Of Two Uncommon Terrestrial Agamid Lizards C. Clayi And C. Fordi In The Great Victoria Desert Of Western Australia". The Western Naturalist 28: 85-93: 91.


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