Biology:Karusasaurus

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Short description: Genus of lizards

Karusasaurus
Karoo Girdled Lizard, black with lighter spots, on reddish brown rock.png
Karusasaurus polyzonus in its natural habitat
Up-close of Karoo Girdled Lizard, scales clearly shown, on reddish brown rock.png
A more detailed close-up of K. polyzonus
Scientific classification e
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Cordylidae
Genus: Karusasaurus
Stanley, Bauer, Jackman, Branch & Mouton, 2011
Species

Two, see text

Karusasaurus, commonly known as Karusa lizards, is a genus of lizards in the family Cordylidae.[1][2]

Its species were previously considered to be included in the genus Cordylus, but more recent studies have shown that they are distinct enough to have their own genus.[3]

Description and distribution

Karusasaurus contains two species, which are widely distributed across the southern part of Africa, specifically, in the semi-arid areas of South Africa and Namibia.[4][5] Like all girdled lizards, they are insectivores. They come in a great range of colors, including black, red, and turquoise.[6]

Species

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

References

Further reading

  • Stanley, Edward L.; Bauer, Aaron M.; Jackman, Todd R.; Branch, William R., Mouton, P. Le Fras N. (2011). "Between a rock and a hard polytomy: Rapid radiation in the rupicolous girdled lizards (Squamata: Cordylidae)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 58: 53–70. (Karusasaurus, new genus, p. 66).

Wikidata ☰ Q3193628 entry