Western basilisk
| Western basilisk | |
|---|---|
 | |
| The head of a western basilisk. | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Class: | Sauropsida |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Sauria or Iguania |
| Family: | Corytophanidae |
| Genus: | Basiliscus |
| Species: | B. galeritus |
| Binomial name | |
| Basiliscus galeritus A.M.C. Duméril & A. Duméril, 1851 | |
The western basilisk, or red-headed basilisk (Basiliscus galeritus), is a large species of corytophanid lizard from northwestern South America.
Geographic range
It inhabits forests at altitudes of 0–1,600 m (0–5,249 ft) in western Colombia and western Ecuador in South America.[1] Earlier reports from Central America are mistaken and actually refer to young of the closely related common basilisk.[2][3] The western basilisk is common and not threatened.[1]
Description
Males reach a length up to about 77.5 cm (30.5 in), while females reach about 63.5 cm (25.0 in).[1] Its body color is olive-green with a reddish brown underbelly. The throat is white to yellow. On the back it has a small crest similar to that of young individuals of the common basilisk. It has narrow white stripes on the sides. It has no back flap. The adult males bear a round head flap/crest.
Invasive species
The western basilisk has been introduced to Gorgona Island, Colombia. This species is not native to the island, and thus, is endangering native species that reside on the island, such as the endemic blue anole (Anolis gorgonae).
References
- 1 2 3 Bustamante-Enríquez, L.M., and Arteaga, A.F. (2012). Western Basilisk (Basiliscus galeritus). The Amphibians and Reptiles of Mindo. Version 2012.a
- ↑ Savage, J. M. (2002). The Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica, p. 429. ISBN 0-226-73537-0
- ↑ Köhler, G. (2000). Reptilien und Amphibien Mittelamerikas, vol. 1, p. 72. ISBN 3-9806214-0-5