Corytophanidae is a family of iguanian lizards, also called casquehead lizards or helmeted lizards,[4] endemic to the New World. Nine species of casquehead lizards from three genera are recognized.

Corytophanidae
Temporal range: Early Eocene - present, 48–0 Ma
Striped basilisk
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Corytophanidae
Fitzinger, 1843[1][2]
Genera
Synonyms
  • Corythophanae Fitzinger, 1843[1]
  • Basiliscidae

Geographic range

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Corytophanids are found from Mexico, through Central America, and as far south as Ecuador.

Certain species are now extant in South Florida and are considered invasive.

Description

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The casquehead lizards are moderately sized lizards, with laterally compressed bodies, and typically have well-developed head crests in the shape of a casque helmet. This crest is a sexually dimorphic characteristic in males of Basiliscus, but is present in both sexes of Corytophanes and Laemanctus.[5] In past years there has been evidence of corytophanids in the Eocene of North America. The greatest percentage of omnivorous species (> 10% plant diet), over 30% in each, and the highest mean percentage of plant matter in the diet are corytophanids.[6]

Behavior

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In Corytophanes, the head crests are used in defensive displays, where the lateral aspect of the body is brought about to face a potential predator in an effort to look bigger.[5] Unlike many of their close relatives, they are unable to break off their tails when captured, probably because the tail is essential as a counterbalance during rapid movement.[7]

Habitat

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Casquehead lizards are forest-dwelling. All corytophanids are excellent climbers, and they are usually found in trees or low bushes.

Reproduction

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Despite the small number of species in the family Corytophanidae, it includes both egg-laying species and species that give birth to live young.[4]

Genera and species

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Family Corytophanidae[8]

Image Genus Living species
  Basiliscus Laurenti, 1768
  Corytophanes H. Boie in Schlegel, 1826
  Laemanctus Wiegmann, 1834

Nota bene: In the following lists, a binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a different genus.

References

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  1. ^ a b Frost DR, Etheridge R (1989). "A Phylogenetic Analysis and Taxonomy of Iguanian Lizards (Reptilia: Squamata)". Univ. Kansas Mus. Nat. Hist., Misc. Pub. (81): 1-65. ("Corytophanidae Fitzinger, 1843", p. 34.)
  2. ^ "Corytophanidae".
  3. ^ "Corytophanidae". Dahms Tierleben. www.dahmstierleben.de/systematik/Reptilien/Squamata/Iguania/corytophanidae.
  4. ^ a b Bauer, Aaron M. [in French] (1998). Cogger, H.G.; Zweifel, R.G. (eds.). Encyclopedia of Reptiles and Amphibians. San Diego: Academic Press. pp. 134–136. ISBN 0-12-178560-2.
  5. ^ a b Pough et al. (2003).
  6. ^ Cooper Jr, W., & Vitt, L. (2002). Distribution, extent, and evolution of plant consumption by lizards. Journal of Zoology, 257(4), 487-517. doi:10.1017/S0952836902001085
  7. ^ Leenders, Twan (2019-08-15), "Family Corytophanidae", Reptiles of Costa Rica, Cornell University Press, pp. 135–146, doi:10.7591/9781501739545-022, ISBN 978-1-5017-3954-5, retrieved 2024-03-24
  8. ^ Family Corytophanidae. The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.

Further reading

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  • Fitzinger L (1843). Systema Reptilium, Fasciculus Primus, Amblyglossae. Vienna: Braumüller & Seidel. 106 pp. + indices. (Family Corythophanae, p. 52). (in Latin).
  • Pough FH, Andrews RM, Cadle JE, Crump ML, Savitsky AH, Wells KD (2003). Herpetology, Third Edition. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc. 736 pp. ISBN 978-0131008496. (Corytophanidae, p. 129).