From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ctenosaura is a genus of lizard commonly known as the spinytail iguana. They are within the large lizard family, Iguanidae and are native to Mexico and Central America. They range in size from about 5 inches to 35 inches. 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 is at least one species, Ctenosaura pectinata, introduced into the United States in south Texas, and Miami, Florida.
[edit] Species
| Species |
Common name |
Authority |
Geographic range |
| Ctenosaura acanthura |
Northeastern Spinytail Iguana |
Shaw, 1802 |
eastern Mexico |
| Ctenosaura alfredschmidti |
|
Köhler, 1995 |
Mexico and Guatemala |
| Ctenosaura bakeri |
Baker's Spinytail Iguana |
Stejneger, 1901 |
islands off Honduras |
| Ctenosaura clarki |
Balsas Armed Lizard |
Bailey, 1928 |
western Mexico |
| Ctenosaura defensor |
Yucatán Spinytail Iguana |
Cope, 1866 |
southern Mexico |
| Ctenosaura flavidorsalis |
|
Köhler & Klemmer, 1994 |
Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala |
| Ctenosaura hemilopha |
Cape Spinytail Iguana |
Cope, 1863 |
northwestern Mexico |
| Ctenosaura melanosterna |
|
Buckley & Axtell, 1997 |
Honduras |
| Ctenosaura oaxacana |
|
Köhler & Hasbun, 2001 |
Oaxaca, Mexico |
| Ctenosaura oedirhina |
De Queiroz's Spinytail Iguana |
de Queiroz, 1987 |
Roatán, Honduras |
| Ctenosaura palearis |
|
Stejneger, 1899 |
Guatemala |
| Ctenosaura pectinata |
Western Spinytail Iguana |
Wiegmann, 1834 |
western Mexico. Introduced to the US in Texas and Florida. |
| Ctenosaura quinquecarinata |
Oaxacan Spinytail Iguana |
Gray, 1842 |
Mexico, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Costa Rica |
| Ctenosaura similis |
Black Iguana |
Gray, 1831 |
Mexico, Central America, and Colombia. Introduced to the US in Florida. |
[edit] References
- Genus Ctenosaura at the EMBL 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.
