CH21 Advanced Lizards

What is the distribution of the family Dibamidae?

Asia

How many genera and species are in the family Dibamidae?

-2 genera

-23 spp

What are the characteristics of the family Dibamidae?

-Blind skinks

-Elongate

-Blunt at ends

-Vestigial eyes covered by scales

-No eyelids

-No external ear openings

-Males have hind flap limbs

-Females have no limbs

-Fossorial

-Oviparous

What is the distribution of the family Scincidae?

Cosmopolitan

How many genera and species are in the family Scincidae?

-152 genera

-1529 species

What are the characteristics of the family Scincidae?

-Skinks

-Complex systematics

-Smooth cycloid osteoderm scales

-Most carnivores

Well developed second palate

-Most diurnal

-Many fossorial

-Long tails with tail autotomy

-Mixed repro

-Half viviparous

-Some parental care

What is the distribution of the family Lacertidae?

Europe, Asia, and Africa

How many genera and species are in the family Lacertidae?

-42 genera

-305 spp

What are the characteristics of the family Lacertidae?

-Small granular dorsal scales

-Well developed limbs

-Fast runners

-Fringed toes

-Good climbers

-Diurnal

-Carnivorous

-Oviparous

What is the distribution of the family Teiidae?

NA, CA, SA

How many genera and species are in the family Teiidae?

-10 genera

-137 spp

What are the characteristics of the family Teiidae?

-Diurnal

-Very fast

-Diverse morphology

-Some limb reduction

-Oviparous

-Some communal nesters

What is the distribution of the family Anguidae?

Europe, Asia, NA, CA

How many genera and species are in the family Anguidae?

-9 genera

-65 spp

What are the characteristics of the family Anguidae?

-Alligator and glass lizards

-Terrestrial

-Diurnal

-Limb reduction

-Some parental care

What is the distribution of the family Helodermatidae?

CA and NA

How many genera and species are in the family Helodermatidae?

-1 genus

-2 spp

What are the characteristics of the family helodermatidae?

-Gila monster and bearded lizards

-Large snout

-Osteoderms

-Tail stores fat

-Omnivorous

-Burrow under trees

-Venomous

What is the distribution of the family Varanidae?

African, Asia, Australia

How many genera and species are in the family Varanidae?

-1 genus

-73 spp

What are the characteristics of the family Varanidae?

-Monitor lizards/ Komodo dragon

-Largest lizards alive

-Fast and agile

-Good swimmers

-Carnivores

-Territorial

-Oviparous