Biology:Japalura swinhonis

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Japalura swinhonis
A lizard in Taiwan 2.JPG
Japalura swinhonis
Scientific classification edit
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Agamidae
Genus: Japalura
Species:
J. swinhonis
Binomial name
Japalura swinhonis
Günther, 1864
Synonyms[1]
  • Japalura swinhoei
    Boettger, 1885
  • Japalura mitsukurii
    Stejneger, 1898
  • Japalura yunnanensis popei
    Wettstein, 1938

Japalura swinhonis, also known as the Taiwan japalure,[1] Swinhoe's japalure, and Swinhoe's tree lizard (Chinese: 斯文豪氏攀木蜥蜴), is a species of lizard in the family Agamidae. The species is endemic to Taiwan.[1][2][3]

Etymology

Both the specific name, swinhonis, and one of the common names, Swinhoe's japalure, are in honor of English biologist Robert Swinhoe.[4]

Geographic range

Japalura swinhonis is endemic to Taiwan, where it is found on the islands of Taiwan, Orchid Island, Green Island, and Xiaoliuqiu.[2] The species has been found in Japan, possibly carried there by humans.[5]

Behaviour and habitat

Japalura swinhonis is arboreal and lives on trees and on the ground at altitudes below 1,500 m (4,900 ft).[6] The primary diet consists of ants, cockroaches, and other small insects. The males perform a push-up display with relatively fixed pattern when approached by competitors and predators.

Description

The total length of Japalura swinhonis reaches 31 cm (12 in). The body is 8 cm (3.1 in) long. The back is brown. The dewlap is black with white spots and intensifies when aroused. Japalura swinhonis is sexually dimorphic. Males have a brighter color than females, have a yellow stripe on each side of the body[2] and are larger.[6] The inside of the mouth is greyish-white or black.

Diet

J. swinhonis feeds on insects and small invertebrates.[2]

Reproduction

J. swinhonis is oviparous.[1] The eggs are white and oval. There are around three to five eggs in a clutch.[7]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Japalura swinhonis at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 19 June 2016.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Japalura swinhonis (Günther, 1864)" (in Chinese). Academia Sinica. http://eol.taibif.tw/pages/72198. Retrieved 2016-05-07. 
  3. Shao, K.T. (editor). "Japalura swinhonis (Günther, 1864)". Catalogue of life in Taiwan. Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taiwan. http://taibnet.sinica.edu.tw/eng/taibnet_species_detail.php?name_code=380625. Retrieved 19 June 2016. 
  4. Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. https://books.google.com/books?id=3ovZoFyLhzkC&pg=PA258.  xiii + 296 pp. ("Swinhoe", pp. 258-259).
  5. "Japalura swinhonis ". National Institute for Environmental Studies, Japan. https://www.nies.go.jp/biodiversity/invasive/DB/detail/30410e.html. 
  6. 6.0 6.1 Kuo, Chi-Yun; Lin, Yu-Teh; Lin, Yao-Sung (2009). "Sexual Size and Shape Dimorphism in an Agamid Lizard, Japalura swinhonis (Squamata: Lacertilia: Agamidae)". Zoological Studies 48 (3): 351–361. http://zoolstud.sinica.edu.tw/Journals/48.3/351.pdf. Retrieved 2016-09-11. 
  7. Norval, Gerrut; Mao, Jean-Jay; Slater, Kerry (2011-10-19). "Notes on the reproduction of the Swinhoe's tree lizard, Japalura swinhonis Günther, 1864, (Squamata: Agamidae) from southwestern Taiwan". Herpetology Notes (Societas Europaea Herpetologica) 4: 319–324. http://www.herpetologynotes.seh-herpetology.org/Volume4_PDFs/Norval_et_al_Herpetology_Notes_Volume4_pages319-324.pdf. Retrieved 2016-09-12. 

Wikidata ☰ Q716320 entry