Ctenophorus

Ctenophorus
Ctenophorus fordi, Mallee dragon
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Agamidae
Subfamily: Amphibolurinae
Genus: Ctenophorus
Fitzinger, 1843[1]
Species

28 species, see text

Ctenophorus nuchalis

Ctenophorus is a genus of lizards, also known as comb-bearing dragons, that contains the most diverse group of dragon lizards in Australia. Many of these have been grouped by a similar morphology. The informal names and groupings within this genus — rock, crevice-, ground, sand-, and bicycle-dragon — are named after the mythological creature, the dragon.

Species

There are 28 recognized species in the genus.[2]

Nota bene: A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Ctenophorus.

Polymorphism

This genus of lizards is known to display color polymorphism, when more than one color type is found within a population. It is believed that color polymorphism in this group has evolved as a result of a combination of sexual selection and natural selection.[3]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ctenophorus.
Wikispecies has information related to: Ctenophorus
  1. ↑ Dahms Tierleben. www.dahmstierleben.de.
  2. ↑ Ctenophorus, The Reptile Database. Accessed 7 October 2014.
  3. ↑ Stuart-Fox, D. M.; Moussalli, A (2004). "Evolution of Color Variation in Dragon Lizards: Quantitative Tests o the Role of Cryypsis and Local Adaptation". Evolution 58 (7): 1549. doi:10.1554/03-448.

Further reading

  • Browne-Cooper, Robert; Brian Bush; Brad Maryan; David Robinson. (2007). Reptiles and Frogs in the Bush: Southwestern Australia. University of Western Australia Press. p. 146. ISBN 978-1-920694-74-6. Australias most diverse group of dragons 
  • Fitzinger L. (1843). Systema Reptilium, Fasciculus Primus, Amblyglossae. Vienna: Braumüller & Seidel. 106 pp. + indices. (Ctenophorus, new genus, p. 83). (in Latin).
  • Wilson S, Swan G. (2003). A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia. Second edition. Sydney: New Holland Publishing.
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