Draco (genus)

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Draco
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Squamata Family: Agamidae Subfamily: Agaminae Genus: Draco Linnaeus, 1758

Draco is a genus of gliding agamid lizard from Southeast Asia. The ribs and their connecting membrane can be extended to create a wing, the hindlimbs are flattened and wing-like in cross-section, and a small set of flaps on the neck serve as a horizontal stabilizer. Draco are arboreal insectivores.

The name may come from the fact that mythological dragons can loosely be described as winged lizards, and the Draco lizard has "wings" much like those of their fantasy counterparts.

Contents 1 Classification of genus Draco 2 Gliding 3 See also 4 Notes 5 References

[edit] Classification of genus Draco

• Draco affinis
• Draco biaro
• Draco bimaculatus
• Draco blanfordii
• Draco caerulhians
• Draco cornutus
• Draco cristatellus
• Draco cyanopterus
• Draco dussumieri
• Draco fimbriatus
• Draco guentheri
• Draco haematopogon
• Draco indochinensis
• Draco jareckii
• Draco lineatus
• Draco maculatus
• Draco maximus
• Draco melanopogon
• Draco mindanensis
• Draco norvillii
• Draco obscurus
• Draco ornatus
• Draco palawanensis
• Draco quadrasi
• Draco quinquefasciatus
• Draco reticulatus
• Draco spilopterus
• Draco taeniopterus
• Draco volans

[edit] Gliding

The lizards are well-known for their 'display structures' and ability to glide large distances using their wing-like patagial membranes supported by elongated thoracic ribs to generate lift forces.^[1]

[edit] See also

• Flying and gliding animals

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

• Inger, Robert F (1983) Morphological and ecological variation in the flying lizards (GenusDraco). Chicago : Field Museum of Natural History Full text