Madagascar girdled lizard

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Madagascar girdled lizard
Zonosaurus madagascariensis (Zurich Zoo) - 2.JPG
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Gerrhosauridae
Genus: Zonosaurus
Species:
Z. madagascariensis
Binomial name
Zonosaurus madagascariensis
(Gray, 1831)
Synonyms

Cicigna madagascariensisGray, 1831

The Madagascar girdled lizard or Madagascar plated lizard (Zonosaurus madagascariensis) is a species of lizard in the family Gerrhosauridae. It is found in Madagascar, some outlying islands (Nosy Be and the nearby islands; Grande Glorieuse) and the Seychelles (Cosmoledo). [1] [2] This generally common lizard is found in a range of habitat types, including open and degraded humid forest at mid and low altitudes. It also occurs in plantations. On Cosmoledo, it occurs in open shrubland. [1] This oviparous lizard grows to 30 cm (12 in) total length. [2]

Contents

Evolutionary history

The family Gerrhosauridae shares the strongest evolutionary linkages to Asian and South American Species. However, the population on the island most likely originated from colonization by ancestors "rafting" from the African Mainland. Within the Island of Madagascar, the Malagasy Plated Lizards are denoted by two individual genera of Gerrhosauridae: 1. Tracheloptychus, which consists of 2 separate species that occupy the subarid south and south-west regions of the Island 2. Zonosaurus, which consists of 17 species occupy the majority of the biomes distributed throughout the Island. Originally, scientists concluded, based on morphological data, that the Zonosaurus was a sister to the Tracheloptychus genera. In order to determine the evolutionary line of the species of Gerrhosauridae on the Island, specimens representing the species that inhabited the Island were acquired and tissue samples were taken and DNA samples were taken and underwent PCR. From the information, the tree for the evolution pathway was then "inferred per gene and per type of gene," resulting in the following lineage as described by the below link containing a photo: http://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S1055790313002534-gr2.jpg.

Subspecies

Populations on Cosmoledo and Grande Glorieuse are recognized as subspecies Zonosaurus madagascariensis insulanusBrygoo, 1985. [1] [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Opluridae</span> Family of lizards

The Opluridae, or Madagascan iguanas, are a family of moderately sized lizards native to Madagascar and Grande Comore. There are eight species in two genera, with most of the species being in Oplurus. The Opluridae, along with Brachylophus of Fiji, are the only extant members of the Pleurodonta that are found outside the Americas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iguanidae</span> Family of lizards

The Iguanidae is a family of lizards composed of the iguanas, chuckwallas, and their prehistoric relatives, including the widespread green iguana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gerrhosauridae</span> Family of lizards

The Gerrhosauridae are a family of lizards native to Africa and Madagascar and are a subspecies of Skinks.

<i>Tracheloptychus</i> Genus of lizards

Tracheloptychus is a small genus of lizards in the family Gerrhosauridae. The genus is endemic to Madagascar.

<i>Zonosaurus</i> Genus of lizards

Zonosaurus is a genus of lizards in the family Gerrhosauridae.

<i>Sanzinia madagascariensis</i> Species of snake

Sanzinia madagascariensis, also known as the Madagascar tree boa or Malagasy tree boa, is a boa species endemic to the island of Madagascar. It was once considered conspecific with the Nosy Komba ground boa. Like all other boas, it is non-venomous.

Zonosaurus boettgeri, Boettger's girdled lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Gerrhosauridae. The species is endemic Madagascar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sanziniinae</span> Subfamily of snakes

The Sanziniinae are a subfamily of boid snakes containing four species endemic to the island of Madagascar. Common names include Madagascar boas and Malagasy boas.

Achille Philippe Raselimanana is a Malagasy herpetologist.

<i>Tracheloptychus madagascariensis</i> Species of lizard

Tracheloptychus madagascariensis, commonly known as the Madagascar keeled cordylid, is a species of lizard in the family Gerrhosauridae. The species is found in Madagascar.

<i>Tracheloptychus petersi</i> Species of lizard

Tracheloptychus petersi, commonly known as Peters's keeled cordylid, is a species of lizard in the family Gerrhosauridae. The species is found in Madagascar.

Zonosaurus aeneus, the bronze girdled lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Gerrhosauridae. The species is endemic to Madagascar.

Zonosaurus anelanelany is a species of lizard in the family Gerrhosauridae. The species is endemic to Madagascar.

Zonosaurus bemaraha is a species of lizard in the family Gerrhosauridae. The species is endemic to Madagascar.

<i>Zonosaurus brygooi</i> Species of reptile

Zonosaurus brygooi, Brygoo's girdled lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Gerrhosauridae. The species is endemic to Madagascar.

<i>Zonosaurus karsteni</i> Species of reptile

Zonosaurus karsteni, Karsten's girdled lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Gerrhosauridae. The species is endemic to Madagascar.

<i>Zonosaurus laticaudatus</i> Species of reptile

Zonosaurus laticaudatus, the western girdled lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Gerrhosauridae. The species is endemic to Madagascar.

<i>Zonosaurus ornatus</i> Species of lizard

Zonosaurus ornatus, the ornate girdled lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Gerrhosauridae. The species is endemic to Madagascar.

<i>Zonosaurus rufipes</i> Species of reptile

Zonosaurus rufipes, the red-legged girdled lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Gerrhosauridae. The species is endemic to Madagascar.

<i>Zonosaurus tsingy</i> Species of reptile

Zonosaurus tsingy is a species of lizard in the family Gerrhosauridae. The species is endemic to Madagascar.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Gerlach, J.; Ineich, I.; Raxworthy, C.J.; Raselimanana, A. (2011). "Zonosaurus madagascariensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2011: e.T61436A12484408. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T61436A12484408.en . Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Zonosaurus madagascariensis at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database . Accessed 16 December 2014.

Further reading

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