- Ctenosaura
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Ctenosaura 
Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Sauropsida Order: Squamata Family: Iguanidae Genus: Ctenosaura
Wiegmann, 1828Ctenosaura is a genus of lizard commonly known as spinytail iguanas. The genus is part of the large lizard family, Iguanidae and is native to Mexico and Central America. The species range in size (total length, including the tail) from about 5 inches to well over one meter. The distinctive feature of this genus is presence of the enlarged, spiny scales on the tail. Ctenousaurs are generally omnivorous, feeding on fruits, flowers, foliage, and small animals. Some members of this genus are popular as pets. At least two species, Ctenosaura pectinata and Ctenosaura similis, have been introduced into the United States in southern Texas and Miami, Florida.
The world record sprint speed for lizards (21.5 miles/h or 34.6 km/h) was attained by the Costa Rican spiny-tailed iguana (Ctenosaura similis).[1][2]
Species
The genus Ctenosaura represents the most diverse group of iguanas with 15 currently recognized and at least two unrecognized species.[3][4] These species inhabit lowland (below 1200 m elevation) dry forests on both coasts of Mexico and Central America.[3] All species of Ctenosaura fall within one of seven clades.[3] Distributions of these clades fall geographically within well established areas.[3] Closely related species show allopatry whereas species from divergent clades show sympatry.[3]
Species Common name Authority Geographic range Ctenosaura acanthura Northeastern Spinytail Iguana Shaw, 1802[5] Eastern Mexico Ctenosaura alfredschmidti Campeche Spinytail Iguana Köhler, 1995 Mexico and Guatemala Ctenosaura bakeri Baker's Spinytail Iguana Stejneger, 1901 Utila island off Honduras Ctenosaura clarki Balsas Armed Lizard Bailey, 1928[6] Western Mexico Ctenosaura conspicuosa San Esteban Iguana Grismer, 1999 San Estiban Island, Gulf of California Ctenosaura defensor Yucatán Spinytail Iguana Cope, 1866[7] Southern Mexico Ctenosaura flavidorsalis Yellowback Spinytail Iguana Köhler & Klemmer, 1994 Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala Ctenosaura hemilopha Cape Spinytail Iguana Cope, 1863[8] Southern half of Baja Mexico Ctenosaura macrolopha Sonora Black Iguana Grismer, 1999 Sonora Mexico Ctenosaura melanosterna Honduran Paleate Spinytail Iguana Buckley & Axtell, 1997 Honduras Ctenosaura nolascensis San Pedro Nolasco Iguana Grismer, 1999 San Pedro Nolasco Island, Gulf of California Ctenosaura oaxacana Oaxacan Spinytail Iguana Köhler & Hasbun, 2001 Oaxaca, Mexico Ctenosaura oedirhina Roatán Spinytail Iguana de Queiroz, 1987 Roatán, Honduras Ctenosaura palearis Guatemalan Spinytail Iguana Stejneger, 1899 Guatemala Ctenosaura pectinata Mexican Spinytail Iguana Wiegmann, 1834[9] Western Mexico. Introduced to the US in Texas and Florida. Ctenosaura praeocularis Honduran Club Tail Iguana Hasbún & Köhler, 2009 SE Honduras Ctenosaura quinquecarinata Club Tail Iguana Gray, 1842[10] Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Ctenosaura similis Black Spinytail Iguana Gray, 1831[11] Mexico, Central America, and Colombia. Introduced to the US in Florida. References
- ^ Garland, T., Jr. (1984), "Physiological correlates of locomotory performance in a lizard: an allometric approach", American Journal of Physiology 247 (5 Pt 2): R806–R815, PMID 6238543, http://www.biology.ucr.edu/people/faculty/Garland/Garl1984.pdf
- ^ Malfatti, Mark (2007), "A Look at the Genus Ctenosaura: Meet the World's fastest lizard and its kin", Reptiles Magazine 15 (11): 64–73
- ^ a b c d e Buckley, Larry; Pagel, Katelyn; Villela, Oscar (2007), "Evolution of Spiny-tailed Iguanas (Genus Ctenosaura): How Identification of Species Groups and their Relationships Can Help with Conservation Priorities", Iguana: Journal of the International Iguana Society 14 (4): 248–251
- ^ "Ctenosaura". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=173915. Retrieved 02 January 2008.
- ^ "Ctenosaura acanthura". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=585834. Retrieved 02 January 2008.
- ^ "Ctenosaura clarki". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=586173. Retrieved 02 January 2008.
- ^ "Ctenosaura defensor". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=586172. Retrieved 02 January 2008.
- ^ "Ctenosaura hemilopha". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=564571. Retrieved 02 January 2008.
- ^ "Ctenosaura pectinata". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=173916. Retrieved 02 January 2008.
- ^ "Ctenosaura quinquecarinata". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=586174. Retrieved 02 January 2008.
- ^ "Ctenosaura similis". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=585835. Retrieved 02 January 2008.
- Genus Ctenosaura at The Reptile Database
- Frost, D.E. and R.E. Etheridge (1989) A Phylogenetic Analysis and Taxonomy of Iguanian Lizards (Reptilia: Squamata). Univ. Kansas Mus. Nat. Hist. Misc. Publ. 81
- Frost, D.R., R. Etheridge, D. Janies and T.A. Titus (2001) Total evidence, sequence alignment, evolution of Polychrotid lizards, and a reclassification of the Iguania (Squamata: Iguania). American Museum Novitates 3343: 38 pp.
- Garland, T., Jr. 1984. Physiological correlates of locomotory performance in a lizard: an allometric approach. Am. J. Physiol. 247 (Regulatory Integrative Comp. Physiol. 16):R806-R815. PDF
External links
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