Sitana spinaecephalus

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Sitana spinaecephalus
Spiny-headed Fan-throated Lizard (Sitana spinaecephalus) (cropped) 2.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Agamidae
Genus: Sitana
Species:
S. spinaecephalus
Binomial name
Sitana spinaecephalus
Deepak, Vyas, & Giri, 2016

Sitana spinaecephalus, the spiny-headed fan-throated lizard, is a species of agamid lizard. It is endemic to India. [2] It is found in scrublands and forests occurring in the west-central states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. [1]

Description

S. spinaecephalus are medium sized lizards; males (48.5 ± 2.9), females (44.8 ± 4.2). The lizards are oviparous. [2]

Like the rest of the genus Sitana, It primarily feeds on arthropods. When disturbed, the male members of the species may trigger its dewlap to intimidate the predator, it may also use its dewlap for communication during the breeding season. [3]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dactyloidae</span> Family of reptiles

Dactyloidae are a family of lizards commonly known as anoles and native to warmer parts of the Americas, ranging from southeastern United States to Paraguay. Instead of treating it as a family, some authorities prefer to treat it as a subfamily, Dactyloinae, of the family Iguanidae. In the past they were included in the family Polychrotidae together with Polychrus, but the latter genus is not closely related to the true anoles.

<i>Sitana</i> Genus of lizards

Sitana is a genus of lizards, collectively known as the fan-throated lizards, from the family Agamidae. They are found in Nepal, India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The genus comprises fourteen species, including several recently discovered species, such as two new species from Sri Lanka. In 2016, a new genus named Sarada was erected, consisting of one former Sitana species and two newly described ones. Sarada is the sister genus of Sitana. Together they form a clade which sister group is Otocryptis.

<i>Anolis</i> Genus of lizards

Anolis is a genus of anoles, iguanian lizards in the family Dactyloidae, native to the Americas. With more than 425 species, it represents the world's most species-rich amniote tetrapod genus, although many of these have been proposed to be moved to other genera, in which case only about 45 Anolis species remain. Previously, it was classified under the family Polychrotidae that contained all the anoles, as well as Polychrus, but recent studies place it in the Dactyloidae.

<i>Anolis carolinensis</i> Species of reptile

Anolis carolinensis or green anole is a tree-dwelling species of anole lizard native to the southeastern United States and introduced to islands in the Pacific and Caribbean. A small to medium-sized lizard, the green anole is a trunk-crown ecomorph and can change its color to several shades from brown to green.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brown anole</span> Species of lizard

The brown anole, also known commonly as the Cuban brown anole, or De la Sagra's anole, is a species of lizard in the family Dactyloidae. The species is native to Cuba and the Bahamas. It has been widely introduced elsewhere, via the importation and exportation of plants where the anole would lay eggs in the soil of the pots, and is now found in Florida and other regions of the United States including southern Georgia, Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Hawaii, and Southern California. It has also been introduced to other Caribbean islands, Mexico, and Taiwan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dewlap</span> Skin hanging below the jaw of animals

A dewlap is a longitudinal flap of skin or similar flesh that hangs beneath the lower jaw or neck of many vertebrates. More loosely, it can be various similar structures in the neck area, such as those caused by a double chin or the submandibular vocal sac of a frog. More generally, it can be any hanging mass of skin, such as a fold of loose skin on an elderly person's neck, or the wattle of a bird. Dewlaps can be considered as a caruncle, defined as "a small, fleshy excrescence that is a normal part of an animal's anatomy".

<i>Sitana ponticeriana</i> Species of lizard

Sitana ponticeriana, the Pondichéry fan-throated lizard, is a species of agamid lizard found in eastern peninsular India. It was earlier thought to be widespread but studies in 2016 resulted in the splitting of the group into several species placed in two genera. The genus Sitana has an enlarged projecting scale on the posterior side of the hind thigh which is absent in the sister genus Sarada.

<i>Draco indochinensis</i> Species of lizard

Draco indochinensis, also known as the Indochinese flying lizard or Indochinese gliding lizard, is a species of agamid lizard endemic to South-east Asia.

Sitana schleichi, the Suklaphantah sitana, is a species of agamid lizard endemic to Nepal.

Sitana sivalensis is a species of agamid lizard endemic to Nepal. Its common name is the Siwalik sitana

<i>Anolis grahami</i> Species of lizard

Anolis grahami, commonly known as the Jamaican turquoise anole and Graham's anole, is a species of lizard in the family Dactyloidae. The species is native to the island of Jamaica, and has also been introduced to the territory of Bermuda. It is one of many different species of anole lizards found in Jamaica. There are two recognized subspecies.

Sitana bahiri is an endemic species of agamid lizards recently found from Sri Lanka. The species was first found from Yala national park. The species was named in honor of M.M Bahir, who is one of a leading wildlife conservationist of Sri Lanka.

Sitana devakai is an endemic species of agamid lizards recently found from Sri Lanka. The species was first found from Puttalama district. The lizard is also known to found in Tamil Nadu of India, but not given valid identification. The species was named in honor of Dr. Devaka K. Weerakoon, who is a conservation biologist. He is a Professor of Zoology in University of Colombo.

<i>Sarada superba</i> Species of lizard

Sarada superba, the superb large fan-throated lizard, is a species of agamid lizard found in Maharashtra, India. It was described in 2016 and in the past was part of a complex that included Sitana ponticeriana.

The Deccan fan-throated lizard is a species of agamid lizard endemic to India.

<i>Sitana gokakensis</i> Species of lizard

Sitana gokakensis, the Gokak fan-throated lizard, is a species of cryptic agamid lizard which is endemic to India.

Sitana laticeps, the broad-headed fan-throated lizard, is a species of agamid lizard. It is endemic to India.

<i>Sitana marudhamneydhal</i> Species of lizard

Sitana marudhamneydhal is a species of agamid lizard. It is endemic to India.

Sitana thondalu, the Nagarjuna Sagar fan-throated lizard, is a species of agamid lizard. It is endemic to India.

<i>Sitana visiri</i> Species of lizard

Sitana visiri, the palm leaf fan-throated lizard, is a species of agamid lizard. It is endemic to the Tamil Nadu region of India.

References

  1. 1 2 Vyas, R.; Srinivasulu, C.; Mohapatra, P.; Thakur, S. (2021). "Sitana spinaecephalus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2021: e.T127902072A127902074. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T127902072A127902074.en . Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  2. 1 2 Sitana spinaecephalus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database . Accessed 28 April 2021.
  3. "Systematics and phylogeny of Sitana (Reptilia: Agamidae) of Peninsular India, with the description of one new genus and five new species". Contributions to Zoology. 85 (1). 2016. Retrieved 2024-06-10.