Microlophus tigris (TSCHUDI, 1845)
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Higher Taxa | Tropiduridae, Iguania, Sauria, Squamata (lizards) |
Subspecies | |
Common Names | E: Tiger Pacific Iguana |
Synonym | Steirolepis tigris TSCHUDI 1845 Tropidurus peruvianus tigris — MERTENS 1956 Tropidurus tigris — DIXON & WRIGHT 1975: 26 Microlophus tigris — FROST 1992 Microlophus tigris — LEHR 2002: 85 |
Distribution | Peru (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). |
Reproduction | Adult 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]. |
Types | Holotype: Lost, see Mertens (1956). |
Diagnosis | Diagnosis: 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]. |
Comment | Habitat. 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]. |
Etymology | Apparently named after Latin tigris, i.e. “of a tiger”, in reference to the color pattern. |
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