Ctenophorus nguyarna DOUGHTY, MARYAN, MELVILLE & AUSTIN, 2007
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Ctenophorus nguyarna
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| Higher Taxa | Agamidae (Amphibolurinae), Sauria, Iguania, Squamata (lizards) |
| Subspecies | |
| Common Names | E: Lake Disappointment Dragon |
| Synonym | Ctenophorus nguyarna DOUGHTY, MARYAN, MELVILLE & AUSTIN 2007 Ctenophorus nguyarna — WILSON & SWAN 2010 Ctenophorus nguyarna — CHAPPLE et al. 2019: 65 |
| Distribution | Australia (Western Australia) Type locality: Savory Creek Mouth, Lake Disappointment, Western Australia, 23° 21’ 0.8” S, 122° 40’ 03”E. |
| Reproduction | oviparous |
| Types | Holotype: WAM 157979, adult male |
| Diagnosis | Diagnosis: A member of the Australiangenus Ctenophorus (Fitzinger 1838), characterized by a row of tectiform scales that startsfrom the nostril, extends back below eye, andends above the tympanum. Ctenophorusnguyarna is a medium-sized robust burrowingdragon with a blunt head and moderately builtshort limbs. Within Ctenophorus, possessionof heterogeneous dorsal scales distinguishesC. nguyarna from C. caudicinctus, C. femoralis, C. fordi, C. isolepis, C. maculatus, C. mckenziei, C. ornatus, C. rubens, C. scutulatus, and C. yinnietharra. Possession of a stout(non-depressed) head distinguishes C. nguyarna from the rock-dwelling species C. decresii, C. fionni, C. rufescens, C. tjantjalka,and C. vadnappa. Within Ctenophorus, onlyC. cristatus possesses a strong vertical nuchalcrest and dorsolateral fold with spines. A lackof a row of spines on the basal portion of thetail distinguishes C. nguyarna from C. (5Rankinia [Wells and Wellington, 1985] orTympanocryptis [Peters, 1864]) adelaidensisand C. parviceps. The remaining species of Ctenophorus havebeen placed in to a C. reticulatus group or themore exclusive C. pictus group consisting ofjust C. pictus and C. salinarum. In C. nuchalisand C. reticulatus the nostril is on a roundedcanthus rostralis (versus below a sharp canthus rostralis in C. nguyarna). The moreobscure less colorful pattern and smaller earof C. gibba distinguishes it from C. nguyarna. The nostrils of C. clayi are elongate (versus round in C. nguyarna), and C. maculosus has a covered tympanum (versus exposed). Ctenophorus nguyarna is distinguished from both C. salinarum and C. pictus by larger body size, less prominent ridge of tectiform scales below eyes, longer eyelids (especially lower), and a different color pattern including thin white vertical bars on the sides and strong vertical bars on the tail. It is further distinguished from C. salinarum by having a narrower head with weakly keeled scales (versus smooth head scales), more numerous scattered enlarged dorsal scales tending to form transverse bars on sides (versus fewer enlarged scales tending to form transverse bars on dorsum near midline), vertebral scales along midline weakly keeled (versus smooth), and sexual dimorphism in color pattern (versus monomorphic). It is further distinguished from C. pictus by having a wider head, scattered enlarged dorsal scales (versus homogeneous scales) and pale short narrow claws (versus long thick claws with dark culmen on upper surface). |
| Comment | Habitat: salt lakes. Conservation: this is one of the most-threatened reptile species in Australia (Geyle et al. 2021). |
| Etymology | Named after the word used by the Kartujarra people to refer to Lake Disappointment. Pronunciation— the first " n " is silent. |
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