Difference between revisions of "Lizard Classification"
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| − | {{ | + | {{review}} |
| − | + | [[Image:Chinese_water_dragon.jpg|400px|thumb|right|'''Chinese water dragon (family Agamidae)''' (© Jakub Hałun, Wikimedia Commons)]] | |
==Lizard Classification Table== | ==Lizard Classification Table== | ||
| − | + | {| border="2" align="center" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4" rules="all"; border-collapse:collapse;empty-cells:show" | |
| − | {| border="2" | ||
|+ | |+ | ||
!bgcolor="#FFCC99"| Suborder | !bgcolor="#FFCC99"| Suborder | ||
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|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Iguania | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Iguania | ||
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Agamidae | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Agamidae | ||
| − | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Water Dragons | + | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| [[Water Dragon|Water Dragons]] |
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| 53 | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| 53 | ||
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| 300 | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| 300 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| | + | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| |
| − | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| | + | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| |
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Iguanidae | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Iguanidae | ||
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Iguanas | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Iguanas | ||
| Line 26: | Line 25: | ||
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| 650 | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| 650 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| | + | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| |
| − | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| | + | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| |
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Chamaeleontidae | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Chamaeleontidae | ||
| − | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Chameleons | + | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| [[Chameleon|Chameleons]] |
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| 4 | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| 4 | ||
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| 85 | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| 85 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| | + | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| |
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Gekkota | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Gekkota | ||
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Gekkonidae | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Gekkonidae | ||
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|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| 800 | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| 800 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| | + | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| |
| − | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| | + | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| |
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Pygopodidae | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Pygopodidae | ||
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Snake lizards | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Snake lizards | ||
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|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| 31 | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| 31 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| | + | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| |
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Scincomorpha | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Scincomorpha | ||
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Lacertidae | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Lacertidae | ||
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|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| 200 | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| 200 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| | + | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| |
| − | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| | + | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| |
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Teiidae | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Teiidae | ||
| − | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Tegus, whiptails | + | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| [[Black Tegu|Tegus]], whiptails |
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| 39 | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| 39 | ||
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| 227 | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| 227 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| | + | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| |
| − | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| | + | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| |
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Xantusiidae | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Xantusiidae | ||
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Desert night lizards | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Desert night lizards | ||
| Line 68: | Line 67: | ||
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| 16 | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| 16 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| | + | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| |
| − | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| | + | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| |
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Scincidae | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Scincidae | ||
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Skinks | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Skinks | ||
| Line 75: | Line 74: | ||
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| 1275 | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| 1275 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| | + | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| |
| − | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| | + | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| |
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Cordylidae | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Cordylidae | ||
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Girdle-tailed lizards | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Girdle-tailed lizards | ||
| Line 82: | Line 81: | ||
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| 50 | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| 50 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| | + | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| |
| − | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| | + | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| |
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Dibamidae | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Dibamidae | ||
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Blind lizards | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Blind lizards | ||
| Line 89: | Line 88: | ||
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| 4 | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| 4 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| | + | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| |
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Anguinomorpha | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Anguinomorpha | ||
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Xenosauridae | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Xenosauridae | ||
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|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| 4 | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| 4 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| | + | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| |
| − | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| | + | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| |
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Anguidae | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Anguidae | ||
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Anguids | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Anguids | ||
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|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| 75 | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| 75 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| | + | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| |
| − | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| | + | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| |
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Helodermatidae | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Helodermatidae | ||
| − | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Beaded lizard, Gila Monster | + | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| [[Mexican Beaded Lizard|Beaded lizard]], [[Gila Monster|Gila Monster]] |
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| 1 | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| 1 | ||
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| 2 | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| 2 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| | + | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| |
| − | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| | + | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| |
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Varanidae | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Varanidae | ||
| − | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Monitors | + | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| [[Monitor|Monitors]] |
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| 1 | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| 1 | ||
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| 31 | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| 31 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| | + | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| |
| − | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| | + | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| |
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Lanthanotidae | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Lanthanotidae | ||
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Borneo earless lizard | |bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Borneo earless lizard | ||
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|} | |} | ||
| − | * '''For more information on the lizard taxonomy, see | + | * '''For more information on the lizard taxonomy, see''' [[Lizard Taxonomy and Identification|Lizard Taxonomy and Identification]]. |
| − | |||
==Families== | ==Families== | ||
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* Family of lizards of the old world | * Family of lizards of the old world | ||
| − | * Acrodont dentition | + | * [[Acrodont dentition|Acrodont dentition]] |
| − | * Includes the agama (''Agama agama''), frilled lizard (''Chamydosaurus kingii''), water dragon (''Psysignathus cocincinus''), Egyptian spiny-tailed lizard (''Uromastyx aegyptius'') and the sail-fin lizard (''Hydrosaurus pustulatus'') | + | * Includes the agama (''Agama agama''), frilled lizard (''Chamydosaurus kingii''), [[Water Dragon|water dragon]] (''Psysignathus cocincinus''), [[Spiny-tailed Lizard|Egyptian spiny-tailed lizard]] (''Uromastyx aegyptius'') and the sail-fin lizard (''Hydrosaurus pustulatus'') |
===Iguanidae=== | ===Iguanidae=== | ||
* Family of lizards in the new world and a few species in the Indian Ocean region | * Family of lizards in the new world and a few species in the Indian Ocean region | ||
| − | * Pleurodont dentition | + | * [[Pleurodont dentition|Pleurodont dentition]] |
| − | * Includes the green iguana (''Iguana iguana''), the green anole (''Anolis carolinensis''), basilisks (''Basiliscus'' spp.), horned lizards (''Phrynosoma'' spp.) spiny lizards (''Sceloporus'' spp.) and West Indian rock iguanas (''Cyclura'' spp.) | + | * Includes the [[Green Iguana|green iguana]] (''Iguana iguana''), the [[Green Anole|green anole]] (''Anolis carolinensis''), [[Basilisk|basilisks]] (''Basiliscus'' spp.), horned lizards (''Phrynosoma'' spp.) spiny lizards (''Sceloporus'' spp.) and [[Rhinocerous Iguana|West Indian rock iguanas]] (''Cyclura'' spp.) |
===Chamaeleontidae=== | ===Chamaeleontidae=== | ||
| − | * Old world or true chameleons | + | * Old world or true [[Chameleon|chameleons]] |
* Anatomical differences from other lizards may include astonishingly long tongues, ability for colour change, oppositely opposable digits and prehensile tails. | * Anatomical differences from other lizards may include astonishingly long tongues, ability for colour change, oppositely opposable digits and prehensile tails. | ||
* Generally viviparous | * Generally viviparous | ||
| Line 158: | Line 156: | ||
* Generally oviparous with one to two eggs laid but some are viviparous | * Generally oviparous with one to two eggs laid but some are viviparous | ||
* Three subfamilies are Eublepharine (no toe-pads), Sphaerodactylinae and Gekkoninae | * Three subfamilies are Eublepharine (no toe-pads), Sphaerodactylinae and Gekkoninae | ||
| − | * Includes the commonly kept leopard gecko (''Eublepharis macularius'') | + | * Includes the commonly kept [[Leopard Gecko|leopard gecko]] (''Eublepharis macularius'') |
===Pygopodidae=== | ===Pygopodidae=== | ||
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* New world equivalents of the Lacertidae | * New world equivalents of the Lacertidae | ||
* The smaller are insectivorous and the larger carnivorous | * The smaller are insectivorous and the larger carnivorous | ||
| − | * Includes the whiptails and racerunners (''Cnemidophorus'' spp.), jungle runners (''Ameiva'' spp.) and tegus (''Tupinambis'' spp.) | + | * Includes the whiptails and racerunners (''Cnemidophorus'' spp.), jungle runners (''Ameiva'' spp.) and [[Black Tegu|tegus]] (''Tupinambis'' spp.) |
===Xantusiidae=== | ===Xantusiidae=== | ||
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* True skinks | * True skinks | ||
* Little sexual dimorphism | * Little sexual dimorphism | ||
| − | * Includes the blue-tongued skink (''Tiliqua'' spp.), prehensile-tailed skink (''Corucia zebrata''), five-lined skink (''Eumeces fasciatus'') and the casqueheads (''Tribolonotus'' spp.) | + | * Includes the blue-tongued skink (''Tiliqua'' spp.), [[Prehensile-tailed Skink|prehensile-tailed skink]] (''Corucia zebrata''), five-lined skink (''Eumeces fasciatus'') and the casqueheads (''Tribolonotus'' spp.) |
===Cordylidae=== | ===Cordylidae=== | ||
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===Helodermatidae=== | ===Helodermatidae=== | ||
* Two species that are the only venomous lizards | * Two species that are the only venomous lizards | ||
| − | * Gila monster (''Heloderma suspectum'') and the Mexican beaded lizard (''Heloderma horridum'') | + | * [[Gila Monster|Gila monster]] (''Heloderma suspectum'') and the [[Mexican Beaded Lizard|Mexican beaded lizard]] (''Heloderma horridum'') |
===Varanidae=== | ===Varanidae=== | ||
| − | * Monitor lizards | + | * [[Monitor|Monitor]] lizards |
* Mostly large powerful predators or carrion eaters | * Mostly large powerful predators or carrion eaters | ||
| − | * Includes the savannah monitor (''Varanus exanthematicus''), Nile monitor (''Varanus niloticus'') and the Komodo dragon (''Varanus komodoensis'') | + | * Includes the [[Monitor|savannah monitor]] (''Varanus exanthematicus''), [[Monitor|Nile monitor]] (''Varanus niloticus'') and the Komodo dragon (''Varanus komodoensis'') |
===Lanthanotidae=== | ===Lanthanotidae=== | ||
Latest revision as of 12:14, 12 August 2010
 |
This article has been peer reviewed but is awaiting expert review. If you would like to help with this, please see more information about expert reviewing. |
Lizard Classification Table
| Suborder | Infraorder | Family | Common Name | Genera | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sauria | Iguania | Agamidae | Water Dragons | 53 | 300 |
| Iguanidae | Iguanas | 55 | 650 | ||
| Chamaeleontidae | Chameleons | 4 | 85 | ||
| Gekkota | Gekkonidae | Geckos | 85 | 800 | |
| Pygopodidae | Snake lizards | 1 | 31 | ||
| Scincomorpha | Lacertidae | Wall and sand lizards | 25 | 200 | |
| Teiidae | Tegus, whiptails | 39 | 227 | ||
| Xantusiidae | Desert night lizards | 1 | 16 | ||
| Scincidae | Skinks | 85 | 1275 | ||
| Cordylidae | Girdle-tailed lizards | 10 | 50 | ||
| Dibamidae | Blind lizards | 1 | 4 | ||
| Anguinomorpha | Xenosauridae | Crocodile lizards | 1 | 4 | |
| Anguidae | Anguids | 8 | 75 | ||
| Helodermatidae | Beaded lizard, Gila Monster | 1 | 2 | ||
| Varanidae | Monitors | 1 | 31 | ||
| Lanthanotidae | Borneo earless lizard | 1 | 1 |
- For more information on the lizard taxonomy, see Lizard Taxonomy and Identification.
Families
Agamidae
- Family of lizards of the old world
- Acrodont dentition
- Includes the agama (Agama agama), frilled lizard (Chamydosaurus kingii), water dragon (Psysignathus cocincinus), Egyptian spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx aegyptius) and the sail-fin lizard (Hydrosaurus pustulatus)
Iguanidae
- Family of lizards in the new world and a few species in the Indian Ocean region
- Pleurodont dentition
- Includes the green iguana (Iguana iguana), the green anole (Anolis carolinensis), basilisks (Basiliscus spp.), horned lizards (Phrynosoma spp.) spiny lizards (Sceloporus spp.) and West Indian rock iguanas (Cyclura spp.)
Chamaeleontidae
- Old world or true chameleons
- Anatomical differences from other lizards may include astonishingly long tongues, ability for colour change, oppositely opposable digits and prehensile tails.
- Generally viviparous
Gekkonidae
- Geckos
- Large and diverse family which have colonised all tropical areas and extended into temperature regions
- Primarily nocturnal insectivores
- Anatomical differences from other lizards may include toe-pads, eyelids that have fused and are transparent as in snakes and eyes that move independently and are usually large
- When subjected to daylight the pupils contract to a narrow slit with a series of pinholes
- Generally oviparous with one to two eggs laid but some are viviparous
- Three subfamilies are Eublepharine (no toe-pads), Sphaerodactylinae and Gekkoninae
- Includes the commonly kept leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius)
Pygopodidae
- Includes snake lizards (Lialis spp.) and the scalyfoot (Pygopus spp.) which are without forelimbs and their hindlimbs are reduced to flaps of skin
Lacertidae
- Wall or sand lizards of the old world
- Insectivorous
- All oviparous except the viviparous lizard (Lacerta vivapara)
- Includes the oscellated green lizard (Lacerta lepida), rock lizard (Lacerta saxicola)
Teiidae
- New world equivalents of the Lacertidae
- The smaller are insectivorous and the larger carnivorous
- Includes the whiptails and racerunners (Cnemidophorus spp.), jungle runners (Ameiva spp.) and tegus (Tupinambis spp.)
Xantusiidae
- Desert night lizards
- Xantusia spp.
Scincidae
- True skinks
- Little sexual dimorphism
- Includes the blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua spp.), prehensile-tailed skink (Corucia zebrata), five-lined skink (Eumeces fasciatus) and the casqueheads (Tribolonotus spp.)
Cordylidae
- Zonures or girdle-tailed lizards
- All require very hot, dry conditions
- Includes Cordylus spp.
Dibamidae
- Blind lizards
- Dibamus and Anelytropsis spp.
Xenosauridae
- Consists of the Chinese crocodile-tailed lizard (Shinisaurus crocodiluris) and the new world xenosaurs (Xenosaurus spp.)
Anguidae
- Long and snake-like in form
- In America, Asia, Africa and Europe but species are not numerous
- Both oviparous and viviparous species, both diurnal and nocturnal species and generally terrestrial
- Insectivorous or carnivorous
- Includes slow-worm (Anguis fragilis), alligator lizards (Elgaria spp.), glass lizards (Ophisaurus spp.) legless lizards (Annelia spp.) and the sheltopusik (Ophisaurus apodus)
Helodermatidae
- Two species that are the only venomous lizards
- Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum) and the Mexican beaded lizard (Heloderma horridum)
Varanidae
- Monitor lizards
- Mostly large powerful predators or carrion eaters
- Includes the savannah monitor (Varanus exanthematicus), Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus) and the Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis)
Lanthanotidae
- Monotypic family
- The Bornean earless lizard (Lanthanotus borneensis)