| Liolaemus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Liolaemus nigromaculatus | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Liolaemidae |
| Genus: | Liolaemus Wiegmann, 1834 [1] |
| Type species | |
| Liolaemus nigromaculatus Wiegmann, 1834 | |
| Subgenera | |
Liolaemus is a genus of iguanian lizards, containing many species, all of which are endemic to South America. [2]
Members of the genus Liolaemus form a dominant part of the lizard fauna of the southern part of the continent of South America, and vary considerably in size (45–100 millimetres or 1.8–3.9 inches snout–vent length) and weight (3–200 grams or 0.1–7.1 ounces).
Liolaemus species are found in the Andes and adjacent lowlands, from Peru to Tierra del Fuego, [3] at altitudes that can exceed 4,500 metres (14,800 ft). [4] The genus has been recorded at 5,400 metres above sea level on Chachani mountain, which is the highest recorded altitude for any reptile species. [5]
Liolaemus magellanicus and Liolaemus sarmientoi are the world's southernmost reptiles, living as far south as Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego and the northern shores of the Strait of Magellan respectively. [6] [7]
Most species of Liolaemus are omnivorous, but a few purely insectivorous and herbivorous species are known.
There are more than 225 described species in the genus Liolaemus, but the true number of species may be about double this number. [4] Liolaemus is by far the largest genus of the liolaemid lizards, which are traditionally treated as subfamily Liolaeminae within the Iguanidae but more recently were proposed for upranking to full family Liolaemidae.
Some species of Liolaemus have been recently kept as pets, and as many of them originate from regions that experience cold conditions, they are named "snow swifts". More generally, the genus is known as "tree iguanas".
The Iguanidae is a family of lizards composed of the iguanas, chuckwallas, and their prehistoric relatives, including the widespread green iguana.
Phymaturus is a genus of iguanian lizards of the family Liolaemidae, a family which was traditionally included in the Iguanidae as a subfamily, but more recently was proposed to warrant family status in the Liolaemidae. Phymaturus is the mid-sized genus of its family, with 50 species altogether known as of 2021; new species are still being discovered, however.
Iguania is an infraorder of squamate reptiles that includes iguanas, chameleons, agamids, and New World lizards like anoles and phrynosomatids. Using morphological features as a guide to evolutionary relationships, the Iguania are believed to form the sister group to the remainder of the Squamata, which comprise nearly 11,000 named species, roughly 2000 of which are iguanians. However, molecular information has placed Iguania well within the Squamata as sister taxa to the Anguimorpha and closely related to snakes. The order has been under debate and revisions after being classified by Charles Lewis Camp in 1923 due to difficulties finding adequate synapomorphic morphological characteristics. Most iguanians are arboreal but there are several terrestrial groups. They usually have primitive fleshy, non-prehensile tongues, although the tongue is highly modified in chameleons. Today they are scattered occurring in Madagascar, the Fiji and Friendly Islands and Western Hemisphere.
Liolaemus silvai is a species of lizard in the family Liolaemidae. The species is endemic to Chile, with occurrence noted in the Chilean matorral.
Liolaemus avilae is a species of lizard in the family Liolaemidae. The species is endemic to Argentina.
Liolaemus boulengeri, also known commonly as Boulenger's tree iguana, is a species of lizard in the family Liolaemidae. The species is endemic to Argentina.
Liolaemus buergeri, also known commonly as Buerger's tree iguana, is a species of lizard in the family Liolaemidae. The species is native to Argentina and Chile.
Liolaemus donosobarrosi, also known commonly as Donoso-Barros' tree iguana, is a species of lizard in the family Liolaemidae. The species is endemic to Argentina.
Liolaemus duellmani, also known commonly as Duellman's tree iguana, is a species of lizard in the family Liolaemidae. The species is endemic to Argentina.
Liolaemus fitzingerii, also known commonly as Fitzinger's tree iguana, is a species of lizard in the family Liolaemidae. The species is native to extreme southern South America.
Liolaemus gracielae is a species of lizard in the family Liolaemidae. The species is endemic to Argentina.
Liolaemus grosseorum is a species of lizard in the family Liolaemidae. The species is endemic to Argentina.
Liolaemus gununakuna is a species of lizard in the family Liolaemidae. The species is endemic to Argentina.
Liolaemus kingii, also known commonly as King's tree iguana, is a species of lizard in the family Liolaemidae. The species is native to Argentina and Chile.
Liolaemus koslowskyi is a species of lizard in the family Liolaemidae. The species is endemic to Argentina.
Liolaemus kriegi, also known commonly as Krieg's tree iguana, is a species of lizard in the family Liolaemidae. The species is endemic to Argentina.
Liolaemus laurenti is a species of lizard in the family Liolaemidae. The species is endemic to Argentina.
Liolaemus magellanicus, also known as Magellan's tree iguana, is a species of lizard in the family Iguanidae, notable for being the southernmost lizard species in the world.
Liolaemus puelche is a species of lizard in the family Liolaemidae. The species is endemic to Argentina.
Data related to Liolaemus at Wikispecies| Authority control databases: National |
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