Teiidae
| Teiidae | |
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| Tupinambis teguixin | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Scleroglossa |
| Infraorder: | Scincomorpha |
| Family: | Teiidae |
| Genera | |
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10, See text. |
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Teiidae is a family of lizards native to the Americas, generally known as whiptails. The group includes the parthenogenic genera Cnemidophorus and Aspidoscelis, and the non-parthenogenic Tupinambis. It has over 230 member species in ten genera.[1] About 75% of the species are in two dominant genera, Aspidoscelis and Cnemidophorus.
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[edit] Morphology
Teiids can be distinguished from other lizards by the following characteristics: they have large rectangular scales that form distinct transverse rows ventrally and generally small granular scales dorsally,[2] they have head scales that are separate from the skull bones, and the teiid teeth are solid at the base and "glued" to the jaw bones. Additionally, all teiids have a forked, snake-like tongue. They all possess well-developed limbs.
Teiids are all terrestrial and diurnal, and are primarily carnivorous or insectivorous, although some will include a small amount of plant matter in their diet. They all lay eggs, with some species laying very large clutches.[2]
[edit] Parthenogenesis
Certain species of whiptail lizards have all-female or nearly all-female populations.[3] These lizards reproduce by parthenogenesis, and research has shown that simulated mating behavior increases fertility. For instance, one female lies on top of another, engaging in pseudocopulation. When they lay eggs, the lizard that was on bottom has larger eggs while the one on top has smaller. The lizards switch off this role each mating season.[4] The offspring are genetic clones of the mother, sparking debate as to how these lizards evolve or adapt to the environment.[5]
[edit] Genera
Family: Teiidae
- Genus Ameiva - Jungle-runners (about 30 species)
- Genus Aspidoscelis (about 120 species)
- Genus Callopistes - False monitors (2 species)
- Genus Cnemidophorus - Whiptail lizards (about 60 species)
- Genus Crocodilurus - Crocodile Tegu (1 species)
- Genus Dicrodon - Desert tegus (3 species)
- Genus Dracaena - Caiman lizards (2 species)
- Genus Kentropyx - (9 species)
- Genus Teius - (3 species)
- Genus Tupinambis - Tegus (7 species)
[edit] References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Teiidae |
- ^ eol.org
- ^ a b Bauer, Aaron M. (1998). Cogger, H.G. & Zweifel, R.G.. ed. Encyclopedia of Reptiles and Amphibians. San Diego: Academic Press. pp. 170–171. ISBN 0-12-178560-2.
- ^ AAAS – All-Female Species of the Lizard Genus Cnemidophorus, Teiidae
- ^ Nerve.com – The Science of Sex. Simon LeVay, Ph.D.
- ^ American Museum of Natural History – Unisexual Whiptail Lizards
- Pianka, E. R. and L. J. Vitt. 2003 Lizards: Windows to the evolution of diversity. University of California Press. Berkeley.
