Oplurus cyclurus

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Oplurus cyclurus
Merrem's Madagascar swift (Oplurus cyclurus) Reniala.jpg
Reserve Reniala, Madagascar
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Opluridae
Genus: Oplurus
Species:
O. cyclurus
Binomial name
Oplurus cyclurus
(Merrem, 1820)
Synonyms [2]

Oplurus cyclurus, also known commonly as the Madagascar swift and Merrem's Madagascar swift, is a species of lizard in the family Opluridae. The species is endemic to Madagascar. [3] It is arboreal and mostly insectivorous. Its breeding is timed with the rainy season.

Contents

Description

Oplurus cyclurus is similar in appearance to Oplurus cuvieri ; the two species may be easily confused.

Oplurus cyclurus is slightly smaller than Oplurus cuvieri . Both species have a distinctive large spiny tail, and neither has a dorsal crest. Oplurus cyclurus has a dark brown or black band around the neck and similar paler markings on its back.

Behavior, habitat, and geographic range

O. cyclurus is mostly arboreal, living in the spiny forests of southern and southwestern Madagascar. [1]

Reproduction

O. cyclurus is oviparous. [2]

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References

  1. 1 2 Vences, M. (2011). "Oplurus cyclurus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2011: e.T172831A6926304. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T172831A6926304.en . Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 Species Oplurus cyclurus at The Reptile Database . www.reptile-database.org.
  3. Glaw, Frank; Vences, Miguel (December 2018). A Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Madagascar (3rd ed.). Cologne, Germany: Vences & Glaw Verlags. ISBN   978-3929449037.

Further reading