Corytophanidae
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (March 2024) |
| Corytophanidae Temporal range: Early Eocene - present,
| |
|---|---|
| |
| Striped basilisk | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Corytophanidae Fitzinger, 1843[1][2] |
| Genera | |
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Corytophanidae is a family of iguanian lizards, also called casquehead lizards or helmeted lizards,[4] endemic to the New World. Nine species of casquehead lizards from three genera are recognized.
Geographic range
[edit]Corytophanids are found from Mexico, through Central America, and as far south as Ecuador.
Certain species are now extant in South Florida and are considered invasive.
Description
[edit]The casquehead lizards are moderately sized lizards, with laterally compressed bodies, and typically have well-developed head crests in the shape of a casque helmet. This crest is a sexually dimorphic characteristic in males of Basiliscus, but is present in both sexes of Corytophanes and Laemanctus.[5] In past years there has been evidence of corytophanids in the Eocene of North America. The greatest percentage of omnivorous species (> 10% plant diet), over 30% in each, and the highest mean percentage of plant matter in the diet are corytophanids.[6]
Behavior
[edit]In Corytophanes, the head crests are used in defensive displays, where the lateral aspect of the body is brought about to face a potential predator in an effort to look bigger.[5] Unlike many of their close relatives, they are unable to break off their tails when captured, probably because the tail is essential as a counterbalance during rapid movement.[7]
Habitat
[edit]Casquehead lizards are forest-dwelling. All corytophanids are excellent climbers, and they are usually found in trees or low bushes.
Reproduction
[edit]Despite the small number of species in the family Corytophanidae, it includes both egg-laying species and species that give birth to live young.[4]
Genera and species
[edit]Family Corytophanidae[8]
| Image | Genus | Living species |
|---|---|---|
|
Basiliscus Laurenti, 1768 |
|
|
Corytophanes H. Boie in Schlegel, 1826 |
|
|
Laemanctus Wiegmann, 1834 |
|
Nota bene: In the following lists, a binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a different genus.
References
[edit]- ^ a b Frost DR, Etheridge R (1989). "A Phylogenetic Analysis and Taxonomy of Iguanian Lizards (Reptilia: Squamata)". Univ. Kansas Mus. Nat. Hist., Misc. Pub. (81): 1-65. ("Corytophanidae Fitzinger, 1843", p. 34.)
- ^ "Corytophanidae".
- ^ "Corytophanidae". Dahms Tierleben. www.dahmstierleben.de/systematik/Reptilien/Squamata/Iguania/corytophanidae.
- ^ a b Bauer, Aaron M. [in French] (1998). Cogger, H.G.; Zweifel, R.G. (eds.). Encyclopedia of Reptiles and Amphibians. San Diego: Academic Press. pp. 134–136. ISBN 0-12-178560-2.
- ^ a b Pough et al. (2003).
- ^ Cooper Jr, W., & Vitt, L. (2002). Distribution, extent, and evolution of plant consumption by lizards. Journal of Zoology, 257(4), 487-517. doi:10.1017/S0952836902001085
- ^ Leenders, Twan (2019-08-15), "Family Corytophanidae", Reptiles of Costa Rica, Cornell University Press, pp. 135–146, doi:10.7591/9781501739545-022, ISBN 978-1-5017-3954-5, retrieved 2024-03-24
- ^ Family Corytophanidae. The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
Further reading
[edit]- Fitzinger L (1843). Systema Reptilium, Fasciculus Primus, Amblyglossae. Vienna: Braumüller & Seidel. 106 pp. + indices. (Family Corythophanae, p. 52). (in Latin).
- Pough FH, Andrews RM, Cadle JE, Crump ML, Savitsky AH, Wells KD (2003). Herpetology, Third Edition. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc. 736 pp. ISBN 978-0131008496. (Corytophanidae, p. 129).
