Microlophus indefatigabilis

The Santa Cruz lava lizard (Microlophus indefatigabilis) is a species of lava lizard endemic to the Galapagos island of Santa Cruz.[2]

Santa Cruz lava lizard
Male
Female
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Tropiduridae
Genus: Microlophus
Species:
M. indefatigabilis
Binomial name
Microlophus indefatigabilis
(Baur, 1890)
Synonyms

Tropidurus indefatigabilis

Description

They are identifiable by a brown body with scattered black and white blotches with a distinctive red and black throat and a black chest. Females have a more uniform brown body, a bright orange face, and a black mark at shoulder level. The species is able to shed its tail without mortal injury.[3] The

Sexual dimorphism

Harems are kept, and are competed for by males using a pushup ritual to avoid physical injury. Males have a higher stamina and greater body size compared to the female.[4]

Distribution

Endemic to Santa Cruz Island, it is found within volcanic rock areas, dry shrublands, dry grasslands, deciduous forests, and urban areas, and prefers shaded locations.[3]

References
  1. Márquez, C.; Cisneros-Heredia, D.F. (2016). "Microlophus indefatigabilis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T88793749A88793762. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T88793749A88793762.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. Benavides, Edgar; Baum, Rebecca; Snell, Heidi M.; Snell, Howard L. & Sites Jr., Jack W. (2009). "Island biogeography of Galápagos lava lizards (Tropiduridae: Microlophus): species diversity and colonization of the archipelago" (PDF). Evolution. 63 (6): 1606–1626. doi:10.1111/j.1558-5646.2009.00617.x. PMID 19154379. S2CID 13598047. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-09-21. Retrieved 2012-01-09.
  3. "Santa Cruz Lava-Lizard (Microlophus indefatigabilis) | Tropical Herping". www.tropicalherping.com. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
  4. Jennings, Snell HL (1988). "Intrapopulation variation in predator-avoidance performance of Galápagos lava lizards: the interaction of sexual and natural selection". Evolutionary Ecology. 2 (4): 353–369. doi:10.1007/BF02207566. S2CID 9955874.


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