Biology:Microlophus indefatigabilis
| Santa Cruz lava lizard | |
|---|---|
| |
| Male | |
| |
| Female | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Tropiduridae |
| Genus: | Microlophus |
| Species: | M. indefatigabilis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Microlophus indefatigabilis (Baur, 1890)
| |
| |
| Synonyms | |
|
Tropidurus indefatigabilis | |
The Santa Cruz lava lizard (Microlophus indefatigabilis) is a species of lava lizard endemic to the Galapagos island of Santa Cruz.[2]
Description
They are identifiable by a brown body with scattered black and white blotches with a distinctive red and black throat and a black chest. Females have a more uniform brown body, a bright orange face, and a black mark at shoulder level. The species is able to shed its tail without mortal injury.[3] The
Sexual dimorphism
Harems are kept, and are competed for by males using a pushup ritual to avoid physical injury. Males have a higher stamina and greater body size compared to the female.[4]
Distribution
Endemic to Santa Cruz Island, it is found within volcanic rock areas, dry shrublands, dry grasslands, deciduous forests, and urban areas, and prefers shaded locations.[3]
References
- ↑ Márquez, C.; Cisneros-Heredia, D.F. (2016). "Microlophus indefatigabilis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T88793749A88793762. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T88793749A88793762.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/88793749/88793762. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ↑ Benavides, Edgar; Baum, Rebecca; Snell, Heidi M.; Snell, Howard L.; Sites Jr., Jack W. (2009). "Island biogeography of Galápagos lava lizards (Tropiduridae: Microlophus): species diversity and colonization of the archipelago". Evolution 63 (6): 1606–1626. doi:10.1111/j.1558-5646.2009.00617.x. PMID 19154379. http://siteslab.byu.edu/Portals/25/docs/Publications/BenavidesEtal09.pdf. Retrieved 2012-01-09.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Santa Cruz Lava-Lizard (Microlophus indefatigabilis) | Tropical Herping". https://www.tropicalherping.com/science/books/reptiles/microlophus_indefatigabilis.html.
- ↑ Jennings, Snell HL (1988). "Intrapopulation variation in predator-avoidance performance of Galápagos lava lizards: the interaction of sexual and natural selection". Evolutionary Ecology 2 (4): 353–369. doi:10.1007/BF02207566.
Wikidata ☰ Q16186141 entry
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