Scientific name Acanthodactylus Higher classification Lacertids Order Scaled reptiles | Phylum Chordata Rank Genus | |
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Lower classifications Schreiber's fringe‑fingered lizard, Be'er Sheva fringe‑fin, Indian fringe‑fingered lizard, Acanthodactylus mechriguensis, Bosc's fringe‑toed lizard | ||
Fingered lizard acanthodactylus schreiberi cyprus
Acanthodactylus is a genus of lacertid lizards, commonly referred to as fringe-fingered lizards or fringe-toed lizards (though the latter common name is also used for the New World lizard genus Uma).
Contents
- Fingered lizard acanthodactylus schreiberi cyprus
- Geographic range
- Habitat
- Description
- Behavior
- Reproduction
- Classification
- References
Geographic range
The approximately 40 species are native to a wide area in North Africa, southern Europe and Western Asia; across the Sahara Desert, to the Iberian Peninsula, and east through the Arabian Peninsula, to Afghanistan and western India.
Habitat
Though lizards of the genus Acanthodactylus prefer dry and sparsely vegetated regions, they are not strictly tied to an arid terrain; so it is not uncommon to come across them in various environments.
Description
Members of the genus possess the following combination of traits:
The coloration and pattern of spots of Acanthodactylus is extremely variable, so it is unsurprising that zoologists have, at one time or another, classified every variety as a separate species.
Behavior
Every saurian of this genus is very aggressive and gets continuously involved in skirmishes with other members of its species. The males strenuously defend the borders of their territories.
Reproduction
Acanthodactylus are oviparous. The number of eggs in a clutch ranges from 3 to 7. The total length of a sexually mature adult of the genus is, on average, 18 to 20 cm (7.1 to 7.9 in).
Classification
Genus Acanthodactylus
Nota bene: A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Acanthodactylus.