Tropidurus torquatus

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Tropidurus torquatus
Tropidurus torquatus.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Tropiduridae
Genus: Tropidurus
Species:
T. torquatus
Binomial name
Tropidurus torquatus
(Wied-Neuwied, 1820)
Synonyms [2] [3]
  • Stellio torquatus
    Wied-Neuwied, 1820
  • Agama operculata
    Lichtenstein, 1822
  • Agama brasiliensis
    Raddi, 1823
  • Agama tuberculata
    Spix, 1825
  • Tropidurus torquatus
    — Wied-Neuwied, 1825
  • Taraguira torquata
    — Gray, 1845
  • Taraguira darwinii
    Gray, 1845
  • Tropidurus torquatus
    — Boulenger, 1885

Tropidurus torquatus is a species of lizard in the family Tropiduridae, the Neotropical ground lizards. Its common name is Amazon lava lizard. [4] The species is endemic to South America. There are no subspecies.

Contents

Etymology

The specific name, torquatus, is Latin meaning "adorned with a neck chain or collar".

Geographic range

Native to South America, T. torquatus is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname. [4] It is one of the most widely distributed species of the genus Tropidurus . [5]

Description

T. torquatus is a medium-sized lizard with a relatively large head. Its scales are overlapping. [5] The reproductively mature female ranges from 7 to 10 cm (2.8 to 3.9 in) snout-to-vent length (SVL). [6] One sample of adult males had a mean SVL of 8.68 cm (3.42 in), [7] while another found a mean SVL of 11 to 12 cm (4.3 to 4.7 in). [8]

Habitat

T. torquatus lives mainly in open habitat types, especially restinga, part of the Atlantic Forest biome. It may occupy disturbed and degraded restinga. It is also known from the Abrolhos Archipelago, indicating that it can colonize offshore islands. [9] It lives in the Cerrado. [10] It may be found in residential areas, [5] [8] where it is adept at climbing the walls of houses. It is mostly ground-dwelling, living in termite nests and on or under rocks and logs. [11] It is associated with many other animals, including giant ameiva, coati, brown capuchin, guira cuckoo, and false coral snake. [12]

Diet

The species T. torquatus is omnivorous, eating invertebrates and plant material. [4] It favors ants, [13] and on plants it prefers the fruits and flowers. [14] It commonly eats the fruit of Chomelia obtusa , higuerón, and smilaxes. [15] It especially favors the fruit of little coca during the summer. [13]

Territoriality

The male of the species T. torquatus is territorial. The male performs signalling behaviors such as head-bobbing and tail-whipping and exhibits aggressive behaviors such as chasing and fighting with other males. Larger, faster males tend to dominate higher-quality territories, such as those with many hiding places and abundant sunlight. Females prefer higher-quality territories and accept the males guarding them; a male may have access to a harem of several females in a good habitat. [8]

Reproduction

The female T. torquatus may lay several eggs at a time, but a clutch of two is common, particularly in coastal areas. [16] Clutch sizes may be larger in other geographical ranges. [6]

Bipedalism

Another notable behavior of the T. torquatus is occasional bipedal locomotion. It can run relatively quickly on its hind feet for a limited distance. It carries its body in an oblique position, lifting its hindlimbs high. It swings its forelimbs in phase with its hindlimbs, i.e. swinging its right forelimb as its right hindlimb comes up, and its left with its left. [7]

Biology

Other aspects of the biology of T. torquatus have been well-studied, from the production [10] and morphology [17] of its spermatozoa, to the histology of its liver, [18] kidneys, [19] [20] and red blood cells. [21] An inventory of the parasites inside the bodies of a number of lizards found three nematode species, Physaloptera lutzi , Parapharyngodon bainae , and Oswaldofilaria chabaudi , as well as an unidentified tapeworm and an acanthocephalan. [22]

Related Research Articles

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

The Tropiduridae are a family of iguanid lizards. The family is sometimes considered a subfamily, Tropidurinae. The subfamily is native to South America, including the islands of Trinidad and the Galápagos. Commonly known as Neotropical ground lizards, most are ground-dwelling animals, and the subfamily includes some lizards adapted to relatively cold climates, including those of the Andes mountains and Tierra del Fuego. Several species give birth to live young.

<i>Tropidurus</i> Genus of reptiles

Tropidurus is a genus of reptiles. The genus includes many species of Neotropical ground lizards. Tropidurus is the type genus of the family Tropiduridae.

<i>Stenocercus fimbriatus</i> Species of lizard

Stenocercus fimbriatus, the western leaf lizard, is a species of lizard in the Tropiduridae family. It is found in the eastern Amazon Basin in Peru, Brazil, and Bolivia.

<i>Plica plica</i> Species of lizard

Plica plica is a species of lizard in the family Tropiduridae, the Neotropical ground lizards. Its common names include collared tree lizard, collared tree runner,tree runner, and harlequin racerunner. In Guyana it is known as wakanama.

Gonatodes nascimentoi is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to Brazil.

Tropidurus melanopleurus, the black lava lizard, is a species of lizard from the Andean region of western South America, ranging between the three different countries of Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina. It was described in 1902 by zoologist George Boulenger. It is fairly small in size, but is known for its different appearance and differing size between the males and females. However, while the patterns of color may be different between the sexes, both males and females have a very distinct physical color array with a patterned mix of green, orange, cream, black and or brown. This species of lizard lives in a generally warm to hot climate all year round and spends most of its day on the side of vertical rock structures in the mountains, feeding on various types of insects, with an emphasis on ants.

<i>Tropidurus catalanensis</i> Species of lizard

Tropidurus catalanensis is a species of lizard in the family Tropiduridae, the neotropical ground lizards.

Liolaemus grosseorum is a species of lizard in the family Liolaemidae. The species is endemic to Argentina.

<i>Tropidurus erythrocephalus</i> Species of lizard

Tropidurus erythrocephalus is a species of lizard of the Tropiduridae family. It is found in Brazil.

Tropidurus etheridgei, also known commonly as Etheridge's lava lizard, is a species of lizard of the family Tropiduridae. The species is endemic to South America.

Tropidurus guarani is a species of lizard in the family Tropiduridae. The species is native to central South America.

Tropidurus helenae is a species of lizard in the family Tropiduridae. The species is native to northeastern Brazil.

Tropidurus hygomi, Reinhardt's lava lizard, is a species of lizard of the Tropiduridae family. It is found in Brazil.

Tropidurus imbituba is a species of lizard of the Tropiduridae family. It is found in Brazil.

Tropidurus insulanus is a species of lizard of the Tropiduridae family. It is endemic to Brazil and is known from pockets of savanna within the Amazon rainforest of Pará and Mato Grosso states.

Tropidurus mucujensis is a species of lizard of the Tropiduridae family. It is found in Brazil.

<i>Tropidurus oreadicus</i> Species of lizard

Tropidurus oreadicus or better known in Brazil as calango is a species of lizard of the Tropiduridae family. It is endemic to Brazil and widely distributed in the biomes of Cerrado. and Caatinga.

<i>Tropidurus semitaeniatus</i> Species of lizard

Tropidurus semitaeniatus, the striped lava lizard, is a species of lizard of the Tropiduridae family. It is found in Brazil.

References

  1. ↑ Abdala, S.; Arzamendia, V.; Embert, D.; Fitzgerald, L.; Giraudo, A.; Kacoliris, F.; Montero, R.; Pelegrin, N.; Scrocchi, G.; Williams, J.; Nogueira, C. de C.; Aparicio, J.; Avila-Pires, T.C.S. (2019). "Tropidurus torquatus ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019: e.T137788491A44955931. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  2. ↑ Tropidurus torquatus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 2 April 2017.
  3. ↑ Boulenger (1885), p. 176.
  4. 1 2 3 Embert, D. 2010. Tropidurus torquatus. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2.
  5. 1 2 3 Steindorff de Arruda, Jeferson Luis; Arruda, Diego Aguiar; Cechin, Sonia Zanini (2008). "Reptilia, Squamata, Tropiduridae, Tropidurus torquatus: Distribution extension". Check List. 4 (3): 269–271. doi: 10.15560/4.3.269 .
  6. 1 2 Vitt, Laurie J.; Goldberg, Stephen R. (1983). "Reproductive ecology of two tropical iguanid lizards: Tropidurus torquatus and Platynotus semitaeniatus". Copeia. 1983 (1): 131–141. doi:10.2307/1444707. JSTOR   1444707.
  7. 1 2 Rocha-Barbosa, O.; Loguercio, M.F.C.; Velloso, A.L.R.; Bonates, A.C.C. (2008). "Bipedal locomotion in Tropidurus torquatus (Wied, 1820) and Liolaemus lutzae Mertens, 1938". Brazilian Journal of Biology. 68 (3): 649–655. doi: 10.1590/S1519-69842008000300024 . PMID   18833488.
  8. 1 2 3 Kohlsdorf, T.; et al. (2006). "Territory quality and male dominance in Tropidurus torquatus (Squamata, Tropiduridae)" (PDF). Phyllomedusa. 5 (2): 109–118. doi: 10.11606/issn.2316-9079.v5i2p109-118 .
  9. ↑ Winck, Gisele R.; Vrcibradic, Davor; Telles, Felipe Bottona da Silva; Borges-Júnior, Vitor Nelson T.; Van Sluys, Monique; Rocha, Carlos Frederico D. (2011). "Squamata, Iguania, Anolis punctatus Daudin, 1802 and Tropidurus torquatus (Wied, 1820): Distribution extension and new records for Ilha Grande, state of Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil". Check List. 7 (3): 270–271. doi: 10.15560/7.3.270 .
  10. 1 2 Báo, Sônia; Vieira, Gustavo H.C.; Colli, Guarino; Wiederhecker, Helga (2001). "Spermiogenesis and testicular cycle of the lizard Tropidurus torquatus (Squamata, Tropiduridae) in the Cerrado of central Brazil". Amphibia-Reptilia. 22 (2): 217–233. doi: 10.1163/15685380152030445 .
  11. ↑ Ribeiro, L.B., et al. (2008). Thermoregulatory behavior of the saxicolous lizard, Tropidurus torquatus (Squamata, Tropiduridae), in a rocky outcrop in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Herpetological Conservation and Biology3 (1): 63-70.
  12. ↑ Wiederhecker, H.C., et al. (2003). The demography of the lizard Tropidurus torquatus (Squamata, Tropiduridae) in a highly seasonal Neotropical savanna. Phyllomedusa2 (1): 9-19.
  13. 1 2 de Carvalho, A.L.G., et al. (2007). Feeding ecology of Tropidurus torquatus (Wied) (Squamata, Tropiduridae) in two areas with different degrees of conservation in Marambaia Island, Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Brazil. Revista Brasileira de Zoologia24 (1): 222-227.
  14. ↑ Siqueira, Carla da Costa; Kiefer, Mara Cíntia; Sluys, Monique Van; Rocha, Carlos Frederico Duarte (2010). "Plant consumption in coastal populations of the lizard Tropidurus torquatus (Reptilia: Squamata: Tropiduridae): how do herbivory rates vary along their geographic range?". Journal of Natural History. 45 (3–4): 171–182. doi:10.1080/00222933.2010.520826. S2CID   86755463.
  15. ↑ Pietczak, Carolina; de Arruda, Jeferson Luis Steindorff; Cechin, Sonia Zanini (2013). "Frugivory and seed dispersal by Tropidurus torquatus (Squamata: Tropiduridae) in southern Brazil". Herpetological Journal. 23 (2): 75–79.
  16. ↑ Kiefer, M. C.; Van Sluys, M.; Rocha, C. F.D. (2008). "Clutch and egg size of the tropical lizard Tropidurus torquatus (Tropiduridae) along its geographic range in coastal eastern Brazil". Canadian Journal of Zoology. 86 (12): 1376–1388. doi:10.1139/Z08-106.
  17. ↑ Teixeira, R.D., et al. (1999). Ultrastructural study of the spermatozoa of the Neotropical lizards, Tropidurus semitaeniatus and Tropidurus torquatus (Squamata, Tropiduridae). Tissue & Cell31 (3): 308-317.
  18. ↑ Firmiano, E.M.S., et al. (2011). Histological study of the liver of the lizard Tropidurus torquatus Wied 1820, (Squamata: Tropiduridae). J. Morphol. Sci.28 (3): 165-170.
  19. ↑ Soares, A.M., and F. Fava-de-Moraes. (1983). Histochemistry of the kidney of the tropical lizard Tropidurus torquatus. Gegenbaurs Morphol. Jahrb.129 (3): 331-344.
  20. ↑ Soares, A.M.; Fava-de-Moraes, F. (1984). "Morphological and morphometrical study of the kidney of the male tropical lizard Tropidurus torquatus". Anatomischer Anzeiger. 157 (5): 365–373. PMID   6529021.
  21. ↑ Beraldo, Flávio H.; Garcia, Célia R.S. (23 August 2007). "Divergent calcium signaling in RBCs from Tropidurus torquatus (Squamata – Tropiduridae) strengthen classification in lizard evolution". BMC Physiology. 7 (1): 7. doi: 10.1186/1472-6793-7-7 . ISSN   1472-6793. PMC   2018699 . PMID   17716375.
  22. ↑ Pereira, Felipe B.; Sousa, Bernadete M.; de Souza Lima, Sueli (2012). "Helminth community structure of Tropidurus torquatus (Squamata: Tropiduridae) in a rocky outcrop area of Minas Gerais state, southeastern Brazil". Journal of Parasitology. 98 (1): 6–10. doi:10.1645/GE-2689.1. PMID   21864129. S2CID   26567574.

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