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What is a Reptile?
Reptiles are not a monophyletic group (unlike amphibians and mammals). They are paraphyletic because the major clade includes birds (and previously dinosaurs). It is very tricky to classify what a reptile is.
Image of Phylogenetic Tree
Reptile Orders in Australia
Testudines (turtles and tortoises)
Crocodilia (crocodiles)
Squamata (lizards and snakes)
Squamata Families
Geckoes:
Gekkonidae
Diplodactylidae
Carphodactylidae
Pygopodidae
Skinks:
Lerista
Ctenotus
Carlia
Dragons:
Agamidae
Goannas/monitors:
Varanidae
Snakes:
Elapidae
Pythonidae
Typhlopidae
Coluribade
Why so many Lizards?
3 hypotheses:
Lizards fill ecological roles filled by other groups elsewhere
Uniquely ideal for reptile habitats
Uniquely high habitat variability