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Microlophus tigris (TSCHUDI, 1845)

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Higher TaxaTropiduridae, Iguania, Sauria, Squamata (lizards)
Subspecies 
Common NamesE: Tiger Pacific Iguana 
SynonymSteirolepis tigris TSCHUDI 1845
Tropidurus peruvianus tigris — MERTENS 1956
Tropidurus tigris — DIXON & WRIGHT 1975: 26
Microlophus tigris — FROST 1992
Microlophus tigris — LEHR 2002: 85 
DistributionPeru (endemic)

Type locality: Huacho, Ica, Pisco, and Islay, Peru (restricted to the coastal foothills and mountains of Peru, between Huacho and Islay by Mertens 1956).  
ReproductionAdult females of tigris were found to contain two to five (3.8) yolked ovarian follicles or oviducal eggs during the months of September, November, and December. The smallest female with yolked ovarian follicles was 49 mm in snoutvent length, the largest 72 mm [DIXON & WRIGHT 1975]. 
TypesHolotype: Lost, see Mertens (1956). 
DiagnosisDiagnosis: Tropidurus tigris is a member of the peruvianus group, differing from thoracicus by the presence of one row of scales between the nasal and the first labial scales (rather than two or more rows); from theresiae by the presence of a slightly enlarged vertebral row of scales; from peruvianus by the presence of transverse rows of black spots on the throat of males rather than dark chevrons, and by the presence of large keeled scales with a free posterior spine on the dorsal surface of the brachium [DIXON & WRIGHT 1975].
 
CommentHabitat. T. tigris is an inhabitant of foothills where rocks and boulders are abundant, but vegetation sparse. The elevational range of the species is [rom sea level to approximately 2,800 meters [DIXON & WRIGHT 1975]. 
EtymologyApparently named after Latin tigris, i.e. “of a tiger”, in reference to the color pattern. 
References
  • Chavez, G. & A. P. Mendoza 2011. Überleben im Sand - Eine Exkursion in die peruanische Wüste. Reptilia (Münster) 16 (92): 40-46 - get paper here
  • Dixon, J.R. & WRIGHT,J.W. 1975. A review of the lizards of the iguanid genus Tropidurus in Peru. Contributions in Science (Los Angeles) (271): 1-39 - get paper here
  • Goldberg, S.R. & Bursey, C.R. 2009. Helminths from seven species of Microlophus (Squamata: Tropiduridae). Salamandra 45 (2): 125-128 - get paper here
  • Lehr, E. 2002. Amphibien und Reptilien in Peru. Natur und Tier-Verlag (Münster), 208 pp. - get paper here
  • Lehr, E.; Köhler, G. & Streit, B. 2002. Die Herpetofauna von Mittelperu entlang eines Transektes von der pazifischen Küste bis in die Hochanden (Amphibia et Reptilia). Faun. Abh. Mus. Tierk. Dresden 22 (2): 361-392
  • Mendoza A, Pérez J, Alvarado E, Barrera D, Castillo E, Fernandez M, Milla J, Olivera D, Ramirez C, Santa Cruz R, Salazar E, Torres-Ccasani G, Aguilar-Puntriano C. 2023. Anfibios y reptiles del departamento de Ica con comentarios sobre su distribución. Revista peruana de biología 30(1): e23425 001- 014 (Marzo 2023)
  • Mertens, R. 1956. Studien über die Herpetofauna Perus I. Zur Kenntniss der Iguaniden-Gattung Tropidurus in Peru. Senckenbergiana biologica 37: 101-136
  • Schlüter, U. 2000. Wüstenkielschwanzleguane aus Peru. Draco 1 (4): 44-49
  • Tschudi,J. J. von 1845. Reptilium conspectum quae in republica Peruana reperiuntur er pleraque observata vel collecta sunt in itenere. Archiv für Naturgeschichte 11 (1): 150-170 [reprint 1968, SSAR; sometimes cited as being published in 1846]. - get paper here
 
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