Biology:Lophognathus

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Short description: Genus of lizards


Lophognathus
Lophognathus gilberti.jpg
Lophognathus gilberti.
Scientific classification e
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Agamidae
Subfamily: Amphibolurinae
Genus: Lophognathus
Gray, 1842

Lophognathus is a genus of large-bodied agamid lizards, consisting of two species — L. gilberti and L. horneri — both of which are endemic to northern Australia . Along with several other closely related genera (e.g., Amphibolurus, Gowidon, and Tropicagama), these lizards are commonly referred to as "dragons". In Australia, these lizards are also colloquially known as "Ta Ta" lizards, due to their habit of "waving" after running across hot surfaces.

Lophognathus are slender, slightly compressed, semi-arboreal lizards. They occur in a variety of habitats, including sand dunes and arid regions, but frequently near watercourses.

Taxonomy

The genus Lophognathus was originally named and described by John Edward Gray in 1842.[1]

Species

Two species are currently recognized in this genus:[2]

Two species formerly included in genus Lophognathus have been reclassified, as follows:[2]

  • Lophognathus temporalis (also known as Amphibolurus temporalis, Gemmatophora temporalis, Gowidon temporalis, Grammatophora temporalis, Physignathus temporalis, Lophognathus labialis, Lophognathus lateralis, and Lophognathus maculilabris) has been reclassified as Tropicagama temporalis
  • Lophognathus burnsi has been reclassified as Amphibolurus burnsi

References

  1. Gray JE (1842). "Description of some hitherto unrecorded species of Australian Reptiles and Batrachians". Zoological Miscellany (London: Treuttel, Würtz & Co.) [2]: 51–57. (Lophognathus, new genus, p. 53).
  2. 2.0 2.1 Melville, Jane; Ritchie, Euan G.; Chapple, Stephanie N.J.; Glor, Richard E.; Schulte, James A. (2018). "Diversity in Australia's tropical savannas: An integrative taxonomic revision of agamid lizards from the genera Amphibolurus and Lophognathus (Lacertilia: Agamidae)". Memoirs of Museum Victoria 77: 41–61. doi:10.24199/j.mmv.2018.77.04. https://museumsvictoria.com.au/media/7995/041-061_mmv77_melville_2_web.pdf.  (Lophognathus horneri, new speces, pp. 54–56 + Figures 8a, 9).


Wikidata ☰ Q2049277 entry