Crocodile tegu
Artist’s historical rendition.
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]

Crocodilurus is a monotypic lizard genus consisting of one species, the crocodile tegu (Crocodilurus amazonicus), belonging to the family Teiidae (tegus, ameivas and whiptails). Its common name is the 'crocodile' tegu, due to its appearance and fondness for water, and is locally known as the jacarerana. This semi-aquatic, predatory lizard has a flattened, paddle-like tail, enabling it to swim with ease.[1][5]

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. 1 2 3 4 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. 1 2 3 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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