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Information about Whiptail Lizard

Teiidae
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Tupinambis teguixin

Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Sauropsida
Order:Squamata
Family:Teiidae
Genera


Ameiva
''Aspidoscelis
Callopistes
Cnemidophorus
Crocodilurus
Dicrodon
Dracaena
Kentropyx
Teius
Tupinambis
Teiidae is a family of lizards, generally known as whiptails, that includes the parthenogenic genera Cnemidophorus and Aspidoscelis and the non-parthenogenic Tegus.

Morphology

Teiids can be distinguished from other lizards by the following characteristics: they have large rectangular scales that form distinct transverse rows ventrally and generally small granular scales dorsally, they have head scales that are separate from the skull bones, and the teiid teeth are solid at the base and "glued" to the jaw bones.

Parthenogenesis

Certain species of whiptail lizards have all-female or nearly all-female populations.[1] These lizards reproduce by parthenogenesis, and research has shown that simulated mating behavior increases fertility. For instance, one female lies on top of another, playing the role of the male. When they lay eggs, the lizard that was on bottom has larger eggs while the one on top has smaller. The lizards switch off this role each mating season.[2] The offspring are genetic clones of the mother, sparking debate as to how these lizards evolve or adapt to the environment.[3]

Sources

  • Pianka, E. R. and L. J. Vitt. 2003 Lizards: Windows to the evolution of diversity. University of California Press. Berkeley.
1. ^ AAAS – All-Female Species of the Lizard Genus Cnemidophorus, Teiidae
2. ^ Nerve.com – The Science of Sex. Simon LeVay, Ph.D.
3. ^ American Museum of Natural History – Unisexual Whiptail Lizards
T. teguixin

Binomial name
Tupinambis teguixin



The Gold tegu, also known as Common tegu, black tegu and Columbian tegu
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Scientific classification or biological classification is a method by which biologists group and categorize species of organisms. Scientific classification also can be called scientific taxonomy, but should be distinguished from folk taxonomy, which lacks scientific basis.
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Chordata
Bateson, 1885

Typical Classes

See below

Chordates (phylum Chordata) are a group of animals that includes the vertebrates, together with several closely related invertebrates.
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Sauropsida*
Goodrich, 1916

Subclasses
  • Anapsida
  • Diapsida
Synonyms
  • Reptilia Laurenti, 1768
Reptiles are tetrapods and amniotes, animals whose embryos are surrounded by an amniotic membrane, and members of the class
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Squamata
Oppel, 1811

black: range of Squamata


Suborders
see text

This article is about the Squamata order of reptiles. For the Roman scale armour see: Lorica squamata.

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Ameiva
Meyer, 1795

Ameiva is a lizard genus which belongs to the family of Teiidae.

Classification

Genus Ameiva
  • Ameiva ameiva - Common ameiva
  • Ameiva anomala
  • Ameiva auberi

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Aspidoscelis

Aspidoscelis is a genus of whiptail lizards, from the family Teiidae. The nomenclature for this genus has recently been published by T. W. Reeder et al. in 2002.
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Callopistes
Gravenhorst, 1838

Callopistes is a lizard genus which belongs to the family of Teiidae.

Classification

Genus Callopistes
  • Callopistes flavipunctatus
  • Callopistes maculatus

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Cnemidophorus
Wagler, 1830

Cnemidophorus is a genus of lizards which belong to the family of Teiidae, which are commonly referred to as Whiptail Lizards or Racerunners.
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Crocodilurus

Crocodilurus is a lizard genus which belongs to the family of Teiidae.

Classification

Genus Crocodilurus
  • Crocodilurus lacertinus

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Dicrodon

Dicrodon is a lizard genus which belongs to the family of Teiidae.

Classification

Genus Dicrodon:
  • Dicrodon guttulatum
  • Dicrodon heterolepis
  • Dicrodon holmbergi

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Dracaena

The genus Dracaena, also called Caiman Lizards, belongs to the family of Teiidae lizards. Caiman lizards are found in South America in Ecuador, Colombia, Peru and Brazil.
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Teius

Teius is a genus of lizards that belong to the family Teiidae.

Classification

Genus Teius
  • Teius oculatus
  • Teius suquiensis
  • Teius teyou

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Tupinambis

Species
see text

Tupinambis is a lizard genus which belongs to the family of Teiidae. These large, South American lizards are commonly referred to as tegus; Tupinambis merianae
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Lacertilia*
Günther, 1867

Families

Many, see text.

Lizards are reptiles of the order Squamata, normally possessing four legs, external ear openings and movable eyelids.
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Cnemidophorus
Wagler, 1830

Cnemidophorus is a genus of lizards which belong to the family of Teiidae, which are commonly referred to as Whiptail Lizards or Racerunners.
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Aspidoscelis

Aspidoscelis is a genus of whiptail lizards, from the family Teiidae. The nomenclature for this genus has recently been published by T. W. Reeder et al. in 2002.
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Tupinambis

Species
see text

Tupinambis is a lizard genus which belongs to the family of Teiidae. These large, South American lizards are commonly referred to as tegus; Tupinambis merianae
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Parthenogenesis (from the Greek παρθένος parthenos, "virgin", + γένεσις genesis
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The American Association for the Advancement of Science (or AAAS) is an organization that promotes cooperation between scientists, defends scientific freedom, encourages scientific responsibility and supports scientific education and science outreach for the betterment of
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