Ctenosaura is a genus of lizard commonly known as spinytail iguanas within the large lizard family, Iguanidae and are native to Mexico and Central America. They range in size (total length, including the tail) from about 5 inches to well over one meter. The distinctive feature of this genus is the enlarged, spiny scales of the tail. Ctenousaurs are generally omnivorous, feeding on fruits, flowers, foliage, as well as on small animals. Some members of this genus are popular as pets. There are at least two species, Ctenosaura pectinata and Ctenosaura similis, introduced into the United States in south Texas, and Miami, Florida.
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).[
Malfatti, Mark (2007), "A Look at the Genus Ctenosaura: Meet the World\'s fastest lizard and its kin", Reptiles Magazine 15 (11): 64-73
]
Species
The genus Ctenosaura represents the most diverse group of iguanas with 15 currently recognized and at least two unrecognized species.[
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
][Ctenosaura (TSN 173915). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved on 02 January 2008.] These species inhabit lowland (below 1200m elevation) dry forests on both coasts of Mexico and Central America.
| Species
| Common name
| Authority
| Geographic range
|
| Ctenosaura acanthura
| Northeastern Spinytail Iguana
| Shaw, 1802[Ctenosaura acanthura (TSN 585834). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved on 02 January 2008.]
| Eastern Mexico
|
| Ctenosaura alfredschmidti
| Campeche Spinytail Iguana
| Köhler, 1995
| Mexico and Guatemala
|
| Ctenosaura bakeri
| Baker\'s Spinytail Iguana
| Stejneger, 1901
| Utila island off Honduras
|
| Ctenosaura clarki
| Balsas Armed Lizard
| Bailey, 1928[Ctenosaura clarki (TSN 586173). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved on 02 January 2008.]
| Western Mexico
|
| Ctenosaura defensor
| Yucatán Spinytail Iguana
| Cope, 1866[Ctenosaura defensor (TSN 586172). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved on 02 January 2008.]
| Southern Mexico
|
| Ctenosaura flavidorsalis
| Yellowback Spinytail Iguana
| Köhler & Klemmer, 1994
| Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala
|
| Ctenosaura hemilopha
| Cape Spinytail Iguana
| Cope, 1863[Ctenosaura hemilopha (TSN 564571). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved on 02 January 2008.]
| Northwestern Mexico
|
| Ctenosaura melanosterna
| Honduran Paleate Spinytail Iguana
| Buckley & Axtell, 1997
| Honduras
|
| Ctenosaura oaxacana
| Oaxacan Spinytail Iguana
| Köhler & Hasbun, 2001
| Oaxaca, Mexico
|
| Ctenosaura oedirhina
| Roatán Spinytail Iguana
| de Queiroz, 1987
| Roatán, Honduras
|
| Ctenosaura palearis
| Guatemalan Spinytail Iguana
| Stejneger, 1899
| Guatemala
|
| Ctenosaura pectinata
| Mexican Spinytail Iguana
| Wiegmann, 1834[Ctenosaura pectinata (TSN 173916). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved on 02 January 2008.]
| Western Mexico. Introduced to the US in Texas and Florida.
|
| Ctenosaura quinquecarinata
| Club Tail Iguana
| Gray, 1842[Ctenosaura quinquecarinata (TSN 586174). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved on 02 January 2008.]
| Nicaragua
|
| Ctenosaura similis
| Black Spinytail Iguana
| Gray, 1831[Ctenosaura similis (TSN 585835). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved on 02 January 2008.]
| Mexico, Central America, and Colombia. Introduced to the US in Florida.
|
References
- 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
External links
Wikispecies has information related to:
Ctenosaura
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