Sauromalus slevini
| Monserrat chuckwalla[1] | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Sauropsida |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Iguanidae |
| Genus: | Sauromalus |
| Species: | S. slevini |
| Binomial name | |
| Sauromalus slevini Van Denburgh, 1922 | |
The Monserrat chuckwalla,( Sauromalus slevini ) is a species of chuckwalla belonging to the Iguanidae family native to three small islands in the Sea of Cortes.
Taxonomy and etymology
The generic name, sauromalus, is a combination of two Ancient Greek words:σαῦρος (sauros) meaning "lizard". and ομαλυς (omalus) meaning "flat".[2] Its specific name slevini is a Latinized form of Joseph Richard Slevin, curator of Herpetology at the California Academy of Sciences from 1928-1957.[3] The species was first described by American herpetologist John Van Denburgh in 1922.[4]
The common name Chuckwalla derives from the Shoshone word "tcaxxwal" or Cahuilla "caxwal", transcribed by Spaniards as "chacahuala".
Habitat and location
The species if found on three islands in the Sea of Cortes: Islas Carmen, Coronados and Montserrat. Due to its restricted range it is a CITES protected animal.
Description
The base color on its back is brown or olive green, with a yellow middorsal band but can be spotted, marbled, or cross-banded with red or darker brown. The head, tail and limbs are unicolor, and the tail may be faintly cross-banded with darker brown. The ventral surfaces are dull brown marbled or spotted with dark brown, especially on the throat.
Diet
The Montserrat chuckwalla prefers dwelling in lava flows and rocky areas with nooks and crannies available for a retreat when threatened. These areas are typically vegetated by creosote bush and cholla cacti which form the staple of their diet as the chuckwalla is primarily herbivorous. The chuckwalla also feed on leaves, fruit and flowers of annuals, perennial plants, and even weeds; insects represent a supplementary prey if eaten at all.
References
- ↑ "Sauromalus slevini". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 27 September 2008.
- ↑ Schwenkmeyer, Dick. "Sauromalus ater Common Chuckwalla". Field Guide. San Diego Natural History Museum. Retrieved 17 September 2008.
- ↑ Hollingsworth, Bradford D. (2004). "The Evolution of Iguanas an Overview and a Checklist of Species". Iguanas: Biology and Conservation (University of California Press). pp. 43–44. ISBN 978-0-520-23854-1.
- ↑ Van Denburgh, John (1922). The Reptiles of Western North America. Volume I. Lizards and Volume II. Snakes and Turtles. California Academy of Sciences 10: 1–612; 613-1028
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