Phrynocephalus horvathi
| Phrynocephalus horvathi | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Agamidae |
| Genus: | Phrynocephalus |
| Species: | P. horvathi
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| Binomial name | |
| Phrynocephalus horvathi (Méhely, 1894)
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| Synonyms | |
Phrynocephalus horvathi is a small diurnal desert lizard in the family Agamidae. It is endemic to the valley of the Araks River and considered Critically Endangered.
Taxonomy
The phylogeny within the genus Phrynocephalus is not well understood and has been the subject of recent revisions. Following Melnikov et al. (2008),[2] the IUCN considers P. horvathi and P. persicus different species rather than subspecies of P. persicus (for details see Phrynocephalus persicus). This usage has been followed here, contrary to the Reptile Database.[3]
Description
The neotype, an adult male, measures 48 mm (1.9 in) in snout–vent length, and has a 60 mm (2.4 in) tail. The body is slender and depressed; also the head is depressed. There is a crest, consisting of a row of nine thorn-like scales, along the middle line of neck.[4]
Distribution and habitat
P. horvathi occurs in several isolated populations the valley of the Araks River in Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey, at elevations of up to 500 m. Like P. persicus, this species prefers vegetation patches on loose sandy soils in semi-deserts, but can also be found on traditional arable land.[1]
Conservation
The species is categorized as "critically endangered" due to its fragmented range, small populations and some 80 percent of its habitat having been lost over the past three generations (12 years) to the spread of agriculture and urbanization. A total population estimate of less than 2,000 individuals was made in 2008. P. horvathi is present in at least one official conservation area.[1]
References
- ^ a b c Natalia Ananjeva; Aram Agasyan (2009). "Phrynocephalus horvathi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2009: e.T164759A5923724. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2009.RLTS.T164759A5923724.en.
- ^ Melnikov, Daniil; Ananjeva, N.B.; Agasyan, A.L.; Rajabizadeh, M. (2008). "Historical background and taxonomic status of the Persian Toad-Headed Agama Phrynocephalus persicus De Filippi, 1863 and Horwath's Sun-watcher toad-head agama Phrynocephalus helioscopus horvathi Mehely, 1894". Questions of Herpetology (in Russian). 2008: 286–297.
- ^ Phrynocephalus persicus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 25 April 2016.
- ^ Melnikov, Daniel; Ekaterina Melnikova; Roman Nazarov; Mahdi Rajabizadeh (2013). "Taxonomic revision of Phrynocephalus persicus De Filippi, 1863 complex with description of a new species from Zagros, southern Iran". Modern Herpetology. 13 (1–2): 34–46.