Whorled iguanas
| Whorled iguanas | ||||||||||||
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Cyclura rileyi rileyi |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Cyclura | ||||||||||||
| Harlan , 1824 |
The whorltail iguanas ( Cyclura ) live endemically on various islands in the northern Antilles ( Bahamas , Cuba , Jamaica , Hispaniola , Cayman Islands , Turks and Caicos Islands , Navassa , Anegada ). A species formerly found in Puerto Rico has become extinct. The representatives of this genus inhabit rocky areas, steppes and open forests. Adult males are territorial and mainly defend nutrient-rich habitats. The population of all species of whorehouse iguanas is considered endangered or critically endangered. Of some there are only around 100 to 300 copies left. The IUCN counts the Jamaican iguana among the hundred most critically endangered animal species in the world. The most famous whorltail iguana is the rhinoceros iguana , which is kept in many zoological gardens.
features
The powerful lizards reach lengths of over 1.20 meters - the largest, the Kubaleguan , a head-torso length of 75 centimeters. The tail usually reaches 1.5 times the length of the head and torso. All whoretail iguanas have a strong head with a combless throat pouch that is larger in males. Older males develop two clearly visible bumps on the back of their head as they get older.
species
- Turks and Caicos Iguana ( Cyclura carinata Harlan, 1824)
- Jamaican iguana ( Cyclura collei Gray, 1845)
- Rhinoceros iguana ( Cyclura cornuta (Bonnaterre, 1789))
- North Bahamian rock iguana ( Cyclura cychlura (Cuvier, 1829))
- Blue iguana ( Cyclura lewisi Grant, 1940)
- † Navassa Island Ground Iguana ( Cyclura nigerrima Cope, 1885) (synonym Cyclura cornuta onchiopsis )
- Kubaleguan ( Cyclura nubila (Gray, 1831))
- Anegada ground iguana ( Cyclura pinguis Barbour, 1917)
- Hispaniola iguana ( Cyclura ricordi (Duméril & Bibron, 1837))
- Acklin's ground iguana ( Cyclura rileyi Stejneger, 1903)
- Mona Island Iguana ( Cyclura stejnegeri Barbour & Noble, 1916)
literature
- David W. Blair: West Indian Iguanas of the Genus Cyclura, Their Current Status in the Wild, Conservation Priorities and Efforts to Breed Them in Captivity . PDF ( memento of March 26, 2009 in the Internet Archive ).
- Eric R. Pianka, Laurie J. Vitt: Lizards. Windows to the Evolution of Diversity (Organisms and Environments) (= Organisms and Environments. Vol. 5). University of California Press, Berkeley CA et al. 2003, ISBN 0-520-23401-4 .
- Manfred Rogner : Lizards. Care and breeding in the terrarium. Volume 1: geckos, pinnipeds, agamas, chameleons and iguanas. Ulmer, Stuttgart 1992, ISBN 3-8001-7248-8 .
Web links
- Cyclura in The Reptile Database
- Integrated Taxonomic Information System: Cyclura Harlan, 1825