| Stellagama stellio | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Dana Biosphere Reserve, Jordan | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Agamidae |
| Genus: | Stellagama Baig, Wagner, Ananjeva & Böhme, 2012 |
| Species: | S. stellio |
| Binomial name | |
| Stellagama stellio | |
| Synonyms [2] | |
Stellagama is a monotypic genus of agamid lizard, containing the single species Stellagama stellio, [3] [1] also known as the starred agama or the roughtail rock agama.
Common names for S. stellio include dikenli keler, hardim, hardun, kourkoutas (Cypriot Greek), kourkoutavlos, painted dragon, roughtail rock agama, short-toed rock agama, sling-tailed agama, star lizard, starred agama, and stellion.[ citation needed ]
Stellagama stellio can be found in Greece, Israel, Cyprus, Lebanon, western Asia and northern Egypt; it has also been introduced to Malta. [1]
Stellagama stellio may attain a total length (including tail) of 35 cm (14 in) or slightly longer. [4]
Like many agamids, S. stellio can change its color to express its mood. It basks on stone walls, rocks, and trees. It is usually found in rocky habitats, and is quite shy, being very ready to dive into cracks to hide from potential predators.[ citation needed ]
The common name "stellion" comes from Latin stellio, stēlio (stelliōn-, stēliōn-), from stella, star. [5] It may have referred to any spotted lizard.[ citation needed ]
For the indigenous people of Europe, and perhaps the Middle East, traditionally the excrement of the stellio was a popular medicine for the eyes, also used as a cosmetic, known as cordylea, crocodilea or stercus lacerti (i.e. 'lizard shit'), the faeces being imported to European pharmacies from the Levant - a rarer and more potent form was acquired from monitor lizards in olden days (stercus magni lacerti). The dung was used to improve one's eyesight, as well as take away any itches and cure cataracts (webbe). [5] [6] Muslims killed them, for it was believed that the lizards were mocking their faith, by lowering their heads in imitation of prayer. [6]
There are several subspecies, and S. stellio is likely a species complex. [1] More research will be done, and this species may yet be split into several species. [3]
The following seven subspecies, including the nominotypical subspecies, are recognized as being valid. [2]
Nota bene : A trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the subspecies was originally described in a genus other than Stellagama.
Agama is a genus of small-to-moderate-sized, long-tailed, insectivorous Old World lizards. The genus Agama includes at least 37 species in Africa, especially sub-Saharan Africa, where most regions are home to at least one species. Eurasian agamids are largely assigned to genus Laudakia. The various species differ in size, ranging from about 12 to 30 centimetres in length, when fully grown.
Calotes is a genus of lizards in the draconine clade of the family Agamidae. The genus contains 29 species. Some species are known as forest lizards, others as "bloodsuckers" due to their red heads, and yet others as garden lizards.
Ceratophora is a genus of agamid lizards found in Sri Lanka. The male has a horn on its snout.
Draco is a genus of agamid lizards that are also known as flying lizards, flying dragons or gliding lizards. These lizards are capable of gliding flight via membranes that may be extended to create wings (patagia), formed by an enlarged set of ribs. They are arboreal insectivores.
Laudakia is a genus of lizards, commonly known as Asian rock agamas, in the family Agamidae. The genus is endemic to Asia.
The Mexican Plateau horned lizard is a species of horned lizard. It is also known as the Chihuahua Desert horned lizard. The specific epithet, orbiculare, comes from the Latin adjective orbis, meaning "circular".
Japalura tricarinata is a species of agamid lizard endemic to Asia.
Laudakia agrorensis, the Agror agama, is a species of agamid lizard. It is found in eastern Afghanistan, northwestern India, and northern Pakistan.
The Caucasian agama is a species of agamid lizard found in the Caucasus, E/S Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Dagestan (Russia), E Turkey, Iraq, N Iran, Afghanistan, NW Pakistan, and parts of Kashmir.
Laudakia dayana, commonly known as the Haridwar agama, is a species of agamid lizard. It is endemic to northwestern India.
Laudakia melanura, also known as the black agama, is a species of agamid lizard. It is found in Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and northern India.
The common agama, red-headed rock agama, or rainbow agama is a species of lizard from the family Agamidae found in most of sub-Saharan Africa. To clear up historical confusion based on Linnaeus and other authors, Wagner, et al. (2009) designated a neotype for the species, using a previously described specimen from Cameroon in the collection of the Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig in Bonn. The species name was formerly applied to a paraphyletic collection of taxa, and mitochondrial DNA analysis of various populations indicates they represent separate species., Consequently, three former subspecies A. a. africana, A. a. boensis, and A. a. mucosoensis are now considered separate species, and A. a. savattieri is considered synonymous with A. africana.
Dolichophis jugularis, the black whipsnake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae.
Paralaudakia stoliczkana is a species of lizard in the family Agamidae. The species is native to Xinjiang and Gansu provinces in China, the western parts of Mongolia, and to Kyrgyzstan. There are two recognized subspecies.
Laudakia nupta is a species of lizard from Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. It was described in 1843. There are two subspecies, Laudakia nupta nupta and Laudakia nupta fusca.
Laudakia sacra, also known commonly as Anan's rock agama, is a species of lizard in the family Agamidae. The species is endemic to Tibet.
Wilms's agama, shield-tail agama or turnip-tail agama, is a species of lizard in the family Agamidae. The species is endemic to the Horn of Africa.
Phrynocephalus guttatus, also known commonly as the spotted toadhead agama, the Saissan toad-headed agama, the Central Asian toadhead agama, and Salensky's toadhead agama, is a species of lizard in the family Agamidae. The species is native to southeastern Europe and western Asia. There are five recognized subspecies.
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