Kingdom Animalia Subphylum Vertebrata Order Squamata Scientific name Calotes ellioti | Phylum Chordata Class Reptilia Suborder Iguania Rank Species | |
 | ||
Similar Calotes nemoricola, Calotes grandisquamis, Calotes rouxii, Calotes jerdoni, Calotes liolepis | ||
Elliot's forest lizard (Calotes ellioti ) is an agamid lizard endemic to the Western Ghats, India.
Contents
Etymology
The specific name, ellioti, is in honor of Scottish naturalist Walter Elliot.
Description
Upper head-scales feebly keeled, imbricate, much enlarged on supraorbital region; a small spine behind the supraciliary edge, and two others on each side, the anterior midway between the nuchal crest and the tympanum, the posterior just above the latter, which measures nearly half the diameter of the orbit. Gular sac not developed; gular scales strongly keeled, smaller than the ventrals. A strong oblique fold or pit in front of the shoulder, and a transverse gular fold. Nuchal crest composed of a few widely separated slender spines, the longest of which measures about two thirds the diameter of the orbit; dorsal crest a mere denticulation. 53 to 61 scales round the middle of the body; loreal scales of nearly the same size as the ventrals, keeled, the uppermost with the points directed straight backwards, the others directed downwards and backwards; ventral scales strongly keeled. The adpressed hind limb reaches the anterior border of the orbit or the tip of the snout; fourth finger longer than third. Tail scarcely compressed. Olive above, with more or less distinct angular dark-brown, cross bands on the body ; an angular black mark on each side of the neck; a white spot below the orbit, dark lines radiating from the eye.
From snout to vent 3 inches; tail 8.5.