Lab 4: Lizards and Amphisbaenians Flashcards
Main families of Squamata (amphisbaenians)
1) Amphisbaenidae
2) Bipedidae
Main families of Squamata (Lizards) (A-C)
1) Agamidae
2) Anguidae
3) Aniellidae
4) Chamaeleonidae
5) Cordylidae
6) Corytophanidae
7) Crotaphytidae
Main families of Squamata (Lizards) (D-L)
1) Dactyloidae
2) Gerrhosauridae
3) Helodermatidae
4) Iguanidae
5) Lacertidae
6) Leiocephalidae
Main families of Squamata (Lizards) (P-V)
1) Phrynosomatidae
2) Phyllodactylidae
3) Scincidae
4) Teiidae
5) Varanidae
Characteristic of Amphisbaenidae
Long lizard like snout
No eyes, no limbs
Parietals and frontals NOT fused
Characteristic of Bipedidae
Short snout
Have arms (forelimbs)
Parietals and frontals are fused
Characteristic of Scincidae
Skinks
Dorsal scales are smooth, shiny, and flat
Some can have a tail that is short and stubby (looks like leopard gecko regrowth)
Characteristic of Agamidae
Look like bearded dragons
well developed legs, moderately long tail
Spiky cheeks
Characteristic of Teiidae
Whiptails
Long tail with rectangular scales
Body has very small round scaled
Long toes
When alive will be half green and half brown
Characteristic of Anniellidae
Legless lizards
Ear opening ABSENT
Characteristic of Dactyloidae
Anoles
Toe-tips expanded as adhesive pads
Characteristic of Corytophanidae
Basilisks
Protruding flap along dorsal spine and head
Very large legs in relation to forelimbs
Skinny waist
Some can look like chamaeleonidae but LOOK AT CLAWS
Characteristic of Cordylidae
Armadillo lizards
Rectangular spiny scales uniform over body
Characteristic of Chamaeleonidae
Chameleons
Claws and fold vertically
Prominent orbital ridge
Curled tail
May have horns
Characteristic of Crotaphytidae
Collared lizards
Crotaphytus collaris has 2 black bands on either side of neck
