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Amphibolurus

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Genus of reptiles
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Amphibolurus
Tree dragon Amphibolurus muricatus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Agamidae
Subfamily: Amphibolurinae
Genus: Amphibolurus
Wagler, 1830
Type species
Draco muricatus
White, 1790

Amphibolurus is a genus of lizards in the family Agamidae. The genus is endemic to Australia.

Description

Characteristics of the genus Amphibolurus include:

  • Moderate size
  • Long limbs and long tail
  • One to five crests consisting of enlarged, sometimes spinose scales (one nuchal and vertebral crest, sometime one or two dorsal crests on each side)
  • Tympanum exposed
  • One to 11 femoral pores and one to three preanal pores on each side
  • Pattern usually includes three broad pale dorsal stripes and some blotches on a usually brown ground coloration
  • Different from the similar species Lophognathus and Gowidon due to more heterogeneous arrangement of scales. They also differ from Gowidon due to more dorsal rows of enlarged, spinose scales.

Habitat

Amphibolurus lizards inhabit open forests, woodlands, and the vegetation around watercourses in southern, eastern, and central Australia.

Behaviour

Species in the genus Amphibolurus are partially arboreal and are often found perching on trunks and branches. Lizards of this genus are swift and shy, and when disturbed, they can engage in bipedal running.

Species

The following species are recognized as being valid, according to the Reptile Database.

Nota bene: A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Amphibolurus.

References

  1. ^ Melville, Jane; Wilson, Steve (2019). Dragon Lizards of Australia. Museums Victoria Publishing. p. 81. ISBN 978-1-921833-49-6.
  2. Genus Amphibolurus at The Reptile Database

Further reading

  • Wagler, J.G. (1830). "Amphibolurus". Natürliches System der AMPHIBIEN, mit vorangehender Classification der SÄUGTHIERE und VÖGEL. Ein Beitrag zur vergleichenden Zoologie (in German and Latin). Munich, Stuttgart and Tübingen: J.G. Cotta. p. 145. OCLC 879146901.

External links

Taxon identifiers
Amphibolurus


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