Ctenosaura — Details

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Ctenosaura

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Ctenosaura similis, Tulum, Mexico

Ctenosaura is a lizard genus commonly known as spinytail iguanas or Ctenosaurs. The genus is part of the large lizard family, Iguanidae and is native to Mexico and Central America.

Contents

Description

The species range in size (total length, including the tail) from about 12.5 centimetres (4.9 in) to well over 1 metre (39 in). The distinctive feature of this genus is the presence of enlarged, spiny scales on the tail.

Diet

Ctenosaurs are generally omnivorous, feeding on fruits, flowers, foliage, and small animals.

Captivity

Some members of this genus are popular as pets.

Invasive species

At least two species, Ctenosaura pectinata and Ctenosaura similis, have been introduced into the United States in southern Texas and Miami, Florida.

Speed

The world record sprint speed for lizards (21.5 miles/h or 34.6 km/h) was attained by the Costa Rican spiny-tailed iguana (Ctenosaura similis).[1][2]

Species

The genus Ctenosaura represents the most diverse group of iguanas with 15 currently recognized species and at least two unrecognized species.[3][4] These species inhabit lowland dry forests, below 1,200 metres (3,900 ft) elevation, on both coasts of Mexico and Central America.[3] All species of Ctenosaura fall within one of seven clades.[3] Distributions of these clades fall geographically within well established areas.[3] Closely related species show allopatry whereas species from divergent clades show sympatry.[3]

SpeciesCommon nameAuthorityGeographic range
Ctenosaura acanthuranortheastern spinytail iguana(Shaw, 1802)[5]Eastern Mexico
Ctenosaura alfredschmidtiCampeche spinytail iguanaKöhler, 1995Mexico and Guatemala
Ctenosaura bakeriBaker's spinytail iguanaStejneger, 1901Utila island off Honduras
Ctenosaura clarkiBalsas armed lizardBailey, 1928[6]Western Mexico
Ctenosaura conspicuosaSan Esteban iguanaGrismer, 1999San Estiban Island, Gulf of California
Ctenosaura defensorYucatán spinytail iguana(Cope, 1866)[7]Southern Mexico
Ctenosaura flavidorsalisyellowback spinytail iguanaKöhler & Klemmer, 1994Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala
Ctenosaura hemilophacape spinytail iguana(Cope, 1863)[8]Southern half of Baja California, Mexico
Ctenosaura macrolophaSonora black iguanaGrismer, 1999Sonora, Mexico
Ctenosaura melanosternablack-chested spinytail iguanaBuckley & Axtell, 1997Honduras
Ctenosaura nolascensisSan Pedro Nolasco iguanaGrismer, 1999San Pedro Nolasco Island, Gulf of California
Ctenosaura oaxacanaOaxacan spinytail iguanaKöhler & Hasbun, 2001Oaxaca, Mexico
Ctenosaura oedirhinaRoatán spinytail iguanade Queiroz, 1987Roatán, Honduras
Ctenosaura palearisGuatemalan spinytail iguanaStejneger, 1899Guatemala
Ctenosaura pectinataMexican spinytail iguanaWiegmann, 1834[9]Western Mexico. Introduced to the US in Texas and Florida.
Ctenosaura praeocularisHonduran club tail iguanaHasbún & Köhler, 2009SE Honduras
Ctenosaura quinquecarinataclub tail iguanaGray, 1842[10]Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
Ctenosaura similisblack spinytail iguanaGray, 1831[11]Mexico, Central America, and Colombia. Introduced to the US in Florida.

References

  1. ^ Garland, T., Jr. (1984), "Physiological correlates of locomotory performance in a lizard: an allometric approach", American Journal of Physiology 247 (5 Pt 2): R806–R815, PMID 6238543, http://www.biology.ucr.edu/people/faculty/Garland/Garl1984.pdf 
  2. ^ Malfatti, Mark (2007), "A Look at the Genus Ctenosaura: Meet the World's fastest lizard and its kin", Reptiles Magazine 15 (11): 64–73 
  3. ^ a b c d e Buckley, Larry; Pagel, Katelyn; Villela, Oscar (2007), "Evolution of Spiny-tailed Iguanas (Genus Ctenosaura): How Identification of Species Groups and their Relationships Can Help with Conservation Priorities", Iguana: Journal of the International Iguana Society 14 (4): 248–251 
  4. ^ "Ctenosaura". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=173915. Retrieved 02 January 2008. 
  5. ^ "Ctenosaura acanthura". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=585834. Retrieved 02 January 2008. 
  6. ^ "Ctenosaura clarki". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=586173. Retrieved 02 January 2008. 
  7. ^ "Ctenosaura defensor". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=586172. Retrieved 02 January 2008. 
  8. ^ "Ctenosaura hemilopha". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=564571. Retrieved 02 January 2008. 
  9. ^ "Ctenosaura pectinata". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=173916. Retrieved 02 January 2008. 
  10. ^ "Ctenosaura quinquecarinata". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=586174. Retrieved 02 January 2008. 
  11. ^ "Ctenosaura similis". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=585835. Retrieved 02 January 2008. 
  • Genus Ctenosaura at The Reptile Database
  • Frost, D.E. and R.E. Etheridge (1989) A Phylogenetic Analysis and Taxonomy of Iguanian Lizards (Reptilia: Squamata). Univ. Kansas Mus. Nat. Hist. Misc. Publ. 81
  • Frost, D.R., R. Etheridge, D. Janies and T.A. Titus (2001) Total evidence, sequence alignment, evolution of Polychrotid lizards, and a reclassification of the Iguania (Squamata: Iguania). American Museum Novitates 3343: 38 pp.
  • Garland, T., Jr. 1984. Physiological correlates of locomotory performance in a lizard: an allometric approach. Am. J. Physiol. 247 (Regulatory Integrative Comp. Physiol. 16):R806-R815. PDF
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