Crocodilurus

Crocodilurus is a lizard genus with only one species Crocodilurus amazonicus, that belongs to the family Teiidae. Its common name is the 'crocodile' tegu, and is locally known as the jacarerana. This semi-aquatic predatory lizard has a flattened, paddle-like tail.[1][5]

Crocodile tegu
CITES Appendix II (CITES)[2]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Teiidae
Genus: Crocodilurus
Spix, 1825[3]
Species:
C. amazonicus
Binomial name
Crocodilurus amazonicus
Spix, 1825[4]

Figurative name

The 'crocodile' tegu has no close relation to crocodilians. The name Crocodilurus amazonicus ("little Amazonian crocodile") is only an analogy: It is a predatory reptile well adapted to living and hunting in water.

Distribution

It is found in the Amazon Basin and the Guiana Shield in South America.[1][5]

Diet

It feeds on arthropods, amphibians, reptiles, and fish.[1][5]

References

  1. Martins, M. (2010). "Crocodilurus amazonicus". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2010: e.T178328A7524182. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T178328A7524182.en. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  2. "Appendices". CITES (cites.org). Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  3. Harvey, Ugueto & Gutberlet (2012), pp. 133, 134
  4. de Massary & Hoogmoed (2001)
  5. Martins, M. (2006). "Life in the water: Ecology of the jacarerana lizard, Crocodilurus amazonicus". Herpetological Journal. 16: 171–177.
  • Avila-Pires, T.C.S. (1995). "Lizards of Brazilian Amazonia (Reptilia: Squamata)". Zoologische Verhandelingen. 299: 1–706.
  • Harvey, M.B.; Ugueto, G.N.; Gutberlet, R.L. (2012). "Review of Teiid morphology with a revised taxonomy and phylogeny of the Teiidae (Lepidosauria: Squamata)". Zootaxa. 3459: 1–156.
  • de Massary, J.C.; Hoogmoed, M.S. (2001). "Crocodilurus amazonicus (Spix, 1825): The valid name for Crocodilurus lacertinus auctorum (nec Daudin, 1802) (Squamata: Teiidae)". Journal of Herpetology. 35 (2): 353–357.

Further reading

Data related to Crocodilurus at Wikispecies


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