Tropiduridae

Microlophus peruvianus

The Tropiduridae are a family of iguana -like ( Iguania ) that live in Central and South America, including the Galapagos Islands. There are small lizards that reach the head-body length of four to 15 centimeters. They occur in very different ecosystems, in wet and dry forests, savannas, deserts and seashores.

Features

Apomorphies that are different from the Tropiduridae other iguana -like, among others the reduced Angular, a rear extension to the splenial, both lower jaw bones, an incomplete Gularfalte and a larger, medium Sternalfontanelle.

Way of life

The lizards live terrestrially on the ground, some climbing on rocks or in trees. Most species are diurnal insectivores, some members of the genus Tropidurus specializing in ants also eat other fruits and flowers. In some Tropidurus - species, the females throughout the year are brightly colored. Other Tropidurus females show staining only during the breeding season. All Tropiduridae are oviparous.

System

The Tropiduridae were initially as a family of iguanas ( Iguanidae ) until they were lifted in 1989 by Frost and Etheridge to the rank of a family. They are closest to the Phrynosomatidae, Malagasy Opluridae and be related to the Polychrotidae.

2001 collected Frost and Etheridge previously belonging to the subfamilies Tropiduridae Leiocephalinae and Liolaeminae to the rank of families, the Tropiduridae to only the seven species of the former subfamily Tropidurinae with about 110 species belong.

• Tropiduridae Bell, 1843. Microlophus
• Plesiomicrolophus
• Plica
• Stenocercus
• Tropidurus
• Thorn tail iguanas ( Uracentron )
• Mopskopfleguane ( Uranoscodon )