Desert iguana

Last updated

Desert iguana [1]
DesertIguana031611.jpg
A desert iguana near Amboy Crater, California
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Iguanidae
Genus: Dipsosaurus
Species:
D. dorsalis
Binomial name
Dipsosaurus dorsalis
(Baird and Girard, 1852)
Dipsosaurus dorsalis distribution.png

The desert iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis) is an iguana species found in the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts of the Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, as well as on several Gulf of California islands.

Contents

Taxonomy

The species was first described in the Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, by Spencer Fullerton Baird and Charles Frédéric Girard, in 1852 as Crotaphytus dorsalis. [3] It was reclassified two years later as Dipsosaurus dorsalis by Edward Hallowell. [4] The generic name comes from a combination of two Greek words meaning "thirsty lizard": "Dipsa" (δίψα) for "thirsty", and "sauros" (σαῦρος) for "lizard". The specific name, "dorsalis", comes from the Latin word dorsum meaning "spike", in reference to a row of enlarged spiked scales on the middle of the lizard's back which form a crest that extends almost to the tip of its vent. Dipsosaurus contains two species, D. dorsalis, and D. catalinensis. [5] Genetic evidence supports Dipsosaurus being the most basal extant member of Iguanidae, diverging during the late Eocene, about 38 million years ago. [6]

There are two peninsular and one continental subspecies of the desert iguana.

Description

The desert iguana is a medium-sized lizard which averages 41 cm (16 in) in total length but can grow to a maximum of 61 cm (24 in) including the tail. [7] They are pale gray-tan to cream in color with a light brown reticulated pattern on their backs and sides. Down the center of the back is a row of slightly enlarged, keeled dorsal scales that become slightly larger farther down the back. The reticulated pattern gives way to brown spots near the back legs, turning into stripes along the tail. The tail is usually around 1½ times longer than the body from snout to vent. The belly is pale. During the breeding season, the sides become pinkish in both sexes.

Habitat

Their preferred habitat is largely contained within the range of the creosote bush, mainly dry, sandy desert scrubland below 1,000 m (3,300 ft). They have a significant presence in the Sonoran and Mojave deserts. They can also be found in rocky streambeds up to 1,000 m. In the southern portion of its range, these lizards lives in areas of arid subtropical scrub and tropical deciduous forest.

These lizards can withstand high temperatures and are out and about after other lizards have retreated into their burrows. They seek shade when their body temperature is in the low-forties (Celsius), and seek the protection of a burrow when their body temperature reaches the mid-forties (Celsius). They burrow extensively and if threatened will scamper into a shrub and go quickly down a burrow. Their burrows are usually dug in the sand under bushes like the creosote. They also often use burrows of kit foxes and desert tortoises.

Reproduction also plays a role in where these lizards are found. It is believed that the high temperature environment helps with successful hatching of eggs. The eggs often hatch between temperatures of 28 and 38 degrees Celsius. [8]

Diet and reproduction

Mating takes place around May–June. Only one clutch of eggs is laid each year, with each clutch having 3-8 eggs. [9] The hatchlings emerge around September. [9]

Desert iguanas are primarily herbivorous, eating buds, fruits and leaves of many annual and perennial plants. [9] They are especially attracted to the flowers and leaves of the creosote bush. [9] They also eat insects, especially ants. [10] Predators of these iguanas and their eggs are birds of prey, foxes, rats, long-tailed weasels, and snakes. [9]

Related Research Articles

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

Agamidae is a family of over 550 species of iguanian lizards indigenous to Africa, Asia, Australia, and a few in Southern Europe. Many species are commonly called dragons or dragon lizards.

<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.

<i>Brachylophus</i> Genus of lizards

The genus Brachylophus consists of four extant iguanid species native to the islands of Fiji and a giant extinct species from Tonga in the South West Pacific. One of the extant species, B. fasciatus, is also present on Tonga, where it has apparently been introduced by humans.

<i>Ctenosaura</i> Genus of lizards

Ctenosaura is a lizard genus commonly known as spinytail iguanas or ctenosaurs. The genus is part of the large lizard family, Iguanidae and is native to Mexico and Central America. The name is derived from two Greek words: κτενός, meaning "comb", and σαύρα, meaning "lizard".

<i>Dipsosaurus</i> Genus of lizards

Dipsosaurus is a genus of lizards in the family Iguanidae.

The spiny weapontail is a species of lizard belonging to the monotypic genus Hoplocercus in the family Hoplocercidae. The species is found in the Cerrado and adjacent Cerrado–Amazon mosaics in Brazil and Bolivia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zebra-tailed lizard</span> Species of lizard

The zebra-tailed lizard is a species of lizard in the family Phrynosomatidae. The species is native to the Southwestern United States and adjacent northwestern Mexico. There are nine recognized subspecies.

<i>Sceloporus magister</i> Species of lizard

Sceloporus magister, also known as the desert spiny lizard, is a lizard species of the family Phrynosomatidae, native to the Chihuahuan Desert and Sonoran Desert of North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iguanomorpha</span> Infraorder of lizards

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 Iguanias 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.

<i>Sauromalus ater</i> Large lizard native to the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts

Sauromalus ater, also known as the common chuckwalla, is a species of lizard in the family Iguanidae. It inhabits the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts of the Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Its range extends from eastern California, Utah, and Nevada south to Baja California and Sonora.

<i>Masticophis</i> Genus of snakes

Masticophis is a genus of colubrid snakes, commonly referred to as whip snakes or coachwhips, which are endemic to the Americas. They are characterized by having a long, thin body and are not dangerous to humans.

<i>Stenocercus</i> Genus of lizards

Stenocercus is a genus of South American lizards, commonly called whorltail iguanas, of the family Tropiduridae. This genus has 80 valid described species.

<i>Iguana</i> Reptile genus of herbivorous lizards

Iguana is a genus of herbivorous lizards that are native to tropical areas of Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. The genus was first described in 1768 by Austrian naturalist Josephus Nicolaus Laurenti in his book Specimen Medicum, Exhibens Synopsin Reptilium Emendatam cum Experimentis circa Venena. Three species are placed in the genus: the green iguana, which is widespread throughout its range and a popular pet, the marine iguana and the Lesser Antillean iguana, which is native to the Lesser Antilles. Genetic analysis indicates that the green iguana may comprise a complex of multiple species, some of which have been recently described, but the Reptile Database considers all of these as subspecies of the green iguana.

Lepidosaur herbivory describes herbivorous lepidosaurs. Living non-avian reptiles form a paraphyletic group that consists of over 9,000 species of crocodiles, turtles, and lepidosaurs. The most diverse group, Lepidosauria, is first known from the Middle Triassic fossils, but likely originated in the Permian. Living lepidosaurs, which include snakes, lizards, and rhynchocephalians, occupy a wide range of environments and niches. The lepidosaurs have many similar anatomical morphology like transverse cloaca, distal tongue, superficial teeth attachment, fused pelvic bones etc. Though widely viewed as obligate carnivores, a small number of lepidosaurs are known to consume plant material. For example, there are roughly 3,300 species of living lizards and approximately 3% of them eat at least some plants. Though the exact definition of herbivory varies significantly between scientists, most define herbivorous lepidosaurs as those that consume plants for approximately 70-90% of its diet.

Isla Coronados, is an island in the Gulf of California east of the Baja California Peninsula in Baja California Sur state, Mexico. The island is uninhabited and is part of the Loreto Municipality.

Isla San Luis is an island in the Gulf of California east of the Baja California Peninsula. The island is uninhabited and is part of the San Felipe Municipality.

Enyalius boulengeri, also known commonly as the Brazilian fathead anole, is a species of lizard in the family Leiosauridae. The species is endemic to Brazil.

References

  1. ↑ "Dipsosaurus dorsalis". Integrated Taxonomic Information System . Retrieved 2 September 2008.
  2. ↑ Malone, C.L.; French, S. (2019). "Dipsosaurus dorsalis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019: e.T194975A2370621. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T194975A2370621.en . Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  3. ↑ Baird, S. F.; Girard, C. (1852). "Characteristics of some new reptiles in the Museum of the Smithsonian Institution, part 2". Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. 6: 125–129. hdl:10088/34417.
  4. ↑ Hallowell, E. (1854). "Descriptions of new Reptiles from California". Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. 7: 92.
  5. ↑ "Dipsosaurus dorsalis". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  6. ↑ Malone, Catherine L.; Reynoso, Víctor Hugo; Buckley, Larry (2017-10-01). "Never judge an iguana by its spines: Systematics of the Yucatan spiny tailed iguana, Ctenosaura defensor (Cope, 1866)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 115: 27–39. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2017.07.010. ISSN   1055-7903. PMID   28716742.
  7. ↑ Stebbins, Robert (2003). Western Reptiles and Amphibians. New York: Houghton Mifflin. pp. 338–339, 537. ISBN   0-395-98272-3.
  8. ↑ Muth, Allan (1980). "Physiological Ecology of Desert Iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis) Eggs: Temperature and Water Relations". Ecology. 61 (6): 1335–1343. doi:10.2307/1939042. ISSN   1939-9170. JSTOR   1939042.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 Lemm, Jeffrey.(2006) Field Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles of the San Diego Region (California Natural History Guides). University of California Press.
  10. ↑ Dibble, Christopher (2008). "Diet and Sexual Dimorphism of the Desert Iguana, Dipsosaurus dorsalis, from Sonora, Mexico".{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.