Herpetology Lab Lecture 4 - Squamata (Sauria)
Rhynchocephalia (Tuataras)
NOT LIZARDS!!
1 genus, 2 species
Rhynchocephalia “beak-heads”
Family- Sphenodontidae
Inhabit 33 small islands off New Zealand coast
2-3 ft in length, 1-2lbs
Long-lived 100yrs?
Sphenodontians “wedge-tooth”
Parietal eye
Nocturnal
Carnivorous (some adults =cannibalistic), insectivorous
“Living fossils”
Reach sexual maturity ~ 10 yrs
Slow growth rate (35yrs)
Disappeared from mainland NZ…Predation?
Order- Squamata
Lizards (Sauria)
Generalized tetrapod body form
“Third eye” pineal gland/ parietal eye
Kinetic skulls
Usually “Pleurodont” dentition
Some “Acrodont” dentition
External ear opening
Movable eyelids
Herpetology Lab Lecture 4 - Squamata (Sauria)
Transverse cloacal opening
Hemipenes
28 families, 457 genera, 5,015 species
Terrestrial, rock or tree-dwelling, burrowing, semi-aquatic
High color variation
Internal fertilization, oviparous
5 toes
Shed skin in multiple pieces (Ecdysis)
Tail autotomy
Family- Iguanidae
(True iguanas) 8 genera, 36 species
All oviparous
Stocky, well-developed limbs
External ear openings
Pleurodont dentition
Small body scales
Head and back crests
N. and S. America, Galapagos, Caribbean, and Fiji
Southern N. America and Northern Central America
Terrestrial, rock-dwelling
Diurnal
Phrynosoma - Horned Lizards or “Horny Toads”
14 species
Horned (Spines)
Short limbs, stubby tails
Herpetology Lab Lecture 4 - Squamata (Sauria)
Dry arid habitats
Feed on invertebrates (ants)
Defense
Motionless (cryptic)
Blood squirts
Genus- Uma (Fringe-toed lizards)
Genus- Urosaurus
Genus-Sceloporus (Spiny lizards)
Family-Crotaphytidae (Collared lizards)
2 genera, 10 species
Crotaphytus and Gambelia
(Collared lizards), (Leopard lizards)
Family- Helodermatidae
Beaded Lizards (1 genus, 2 species)
Venomous
Found in American Southwest, Mexico, and Central America
Heavy-bodied, short legged, thick tail, blunt head
Crepuscular
Feed on small mammals, birds, and invertebrates
Tail = fat storage
Eublepharidae - Eyelid Geckos (6 genera, 23 species)
Large eyes, vertical pupils
Small, white granular scales
Depressed, cylindrical body
Short limbs, 5 toes
Herpetology Lab Lecture 4 - Squamata (Sauria)
NO adhesive toes scansors
Tail= thick, short, fragile
Amphisbaenians – Worm-lizards
4 families, 23 genera, 166 species
Burrowing reptiles
3 of 4 families are limbless
Bipedidae have retained forelimbs
Feed on small invertebrates
Modified ears (sub eardrum on side of jaw)
Collect soil water through capillary action of lips and tongue
Internal fertilization (Hemipenes)
Oviparity, ovoviviparity
Family - Anguidae
Glass lizards and Alligator lizards
12 genera, 114 species
N U.S. Argentina, West Indies, Britain, China, Sumatra, Borneo
Uniform rectangular scales (osteoderms)
Reduced  absent limbs
Movable eyelids
External ear openings
Tail autotomy (long and fragile)
Family -Teiidae
Whiptails and Racerunners
9 genera, 120 species
Fast-running lizards
Herpetology Lab Lecture 4 - Squamata (Sauria)
U.S. through S. America and West Indies
Large, symmetrical scales on head
Granular body scales
Rectangular body plates
Stout heads, well-developed limbs with elongated hind toes
Pointed snouts
Well-developed, movable eyelids
Large ears
Femoral skin glands present
Femoral glands (pores)
Family - Xantusiidae
Night lizards
3 genera, 24 species
Terrestrial or saxicolous
Crepuscular
Central Mexico, Panama, Cuba, SW U.S.
Long body form, slightly depressed
Short limbs, 5 toes
Long fragile tail
Fused eyelids, (Transparent spectacle)
Large head scales, belly covered in rectangular plates, body covered in black granular scales
Spectacle