Biology:Crocodilurus
| Crocodile tegu | |
|---|---|
| |
| Artist’s historical rendition. | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Teiidae |
| Genus: | Crocodilurus Spix, 1825[4] |
| Species: | C. amazonicus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Crocodilurus amazonicus | |
Crocodilurus is a monotypic lizard genus consisting of one species, the crocodile tegu (Crocodilurus amazonicus), belonging to the family Teiidae (tegus, ameivas and whiptails). Its common name is the 'crocodile' tegu, due to its appearance and fondness for water, and is locally known as the jacarerana. This semi-aquatic, predatory lizard has a flattened, paddle-like tail, enabling it to swim with ease.[1][5]
Figurative name
The 'crocodile' tegu has no close relation to crocodilians. The name Crocodilurus amazonicus ("little Amazonian crocodile") is only an analogy: It is a predatory reptile well adapted to living and hunting in water.
Distribution
It is found in the Amazon Basin and the Guiana Shield in South America.[1][5]
Diet
It feeds on arthropods, amphibians, reptiles, and fish.[1][5]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Martins, M. (2010). "Crocodilurus amazonicus". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (IUCN) 2010: e.T178328A7524182. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T178328A7524182.en. http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/178328/0. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- ↑ "Appendices". https://cites.org/eng/app/appendices.php.
- ↑ de Massary & Hoogmoed (2001)
- ↑ Harvey, Ugueto & Gutberlet (2012), pp. 133,134
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Martins, M. (2006). "Life in the water: Ecology of the jacarerana lizard, Crocodilurus amazonicus". Herpetological Journal 16: 171-177.
- Avila-Pires, T.C.S. (1995). "Lizards of Brazilian Amazonia (Reptilia: Squamata)". Zoologische Verhandelingen 299: 1-706.
- Harvey, M.B.; Ugueto, G.N.; Gutberlet, R.L. (2012). "Review of Teiid morphology with a revised taxonomy and phylogeny of the Teiidae (Lepidosauria: Squamata)". Zootaxa 3459: 1–156.
- de Massary, J.C.; Hoogmoed, M.S. (2001). "Crocodilurus amazonicus (Spix, 1825): The valid name for Crocodilurus lacertinus auctorum (nec Daudin, 1802) (Squamata: Teiidae)". Journal of Herpetology 35 (2): 353–357.
Further reading
- von Spix, J.B. (1825). Animalia nova sive species nova lacertarum quas in itinere per Brasiliam annis MDCCCXVII-MDCCCXX jussu et auspicius Maximiliani Josephi I Bavariae Regis suscepto collegit et descripsit Dr. J.B. de Spix. Lipsiae: T.O. Weigel. Monachii; F.S. Hübschmanni. https://archive.org/details/animalianovasive1825spix. — original description
External links
Wikidata ☰ {{{from}}} entry
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