5- The Florida scrub lizard (Sceloporus woodi ) :
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Florida scrub lizard (Sceloporus woodi ) is a species of lizard endemic to Florida in the United States.
Florida scrub lizard
Conservation status :
Near Threatened (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification :
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Reptilia
Order:Squamata
Suborder:Iguania
Family:Iguanidae
Subfamily:Phrynosomatinae
Genus:Sceloporus
Species:S. woodi
Binomial name :
Sceloporus woodi
Stejneger, 1918
Etymology :
The specific name, woodi, is in honor of taxidermist Nelson R. Wood (died 1920) of the Smithsonian Institution who collected the holotype.[1]
Description :
The adult Florida scrub lizard is about 5 inches (13 cm) in total length (including tail). It is gray or brownish with a longitudinal brown stripe down each side of the body. The male has turquoise patches on the throat and belly. The female usually lacks the throat patches but may have lighter patches on the abdomen.[2]
Reproduction :
Courtship and mating of S. woodi occur in spring. The female buries up to 5 clutches of 2 to 8 eggs each. Eggs take about 75 days to hatch, probably depending on ambient temperature. The last hatchlings of the year emerge in November. The lizard becomes sexually mature in 10 to 11 months.[2]
Habitat :
S. woodi is a species of the Florida scrub, including evergreen oak and sand pine scrub. It is found less often in the ecotone between scrub and sandhill habitat, flatwoods, and citrus groves. It is most common in dry habitat with open areas for basking and nesting with nearby pines or oaks for shelter. A closed canopy makes the habitat unsuitable.[3]
Conservation status :
S. woodi has a disjunct distribution with four main population areas, the Atlantic coast scrubs, the Gulf Coast scrubs, the inland central peninsula, and Ocala National Forest and environs. It occurs on the Lake Wales Ridge.[3] It is common in the Ocala National Forest, but it is slowly declining in most of its range due to loss of habitat. It was more widespread before the intensive development of Florida's scrub zones and sandy ridges.[3] Habitat loss to development, including the establishment of citrus groves, has reduced populations. Fire suppression causes habitat changes such as closure of the canopy, which eliminates the open spaces required by the species.[2][3]
This species occurs in widely spaced patches of a habitat type that is naturally fragmented, and it does not disperse far from its natal area. The main population groups have remained separate for many thousands of years, causing isolation that has led to the development of high genetic diversity in the species as a whole. During conservation efforts, it is important to maintain such diversity.[2]
For the external links , refrences click here to read the full wikipedia article
Video :
Bipedal running in the Florida Scrub Lizard (Sceloporus woodi)
Other websites :
- reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Sceloporus&species=woodi
- www.iucnredlist.org/details/64160/0
- animaldiversity.org/accounts/Sceloporus_woodi/
- www.fnai.org/FieldGuide/pdf/Sceloporus_woodi.PDF
Sceloporus - spiny lizards:
1- The emerald swift or green spiny lizard (Sceloporus malachiticus)
2- Sceloporus uniformis - The yellow-backed spiny lizard
3- Sceloporus jarrovii - The Yarrow's spiny lizard
4- Sceloporus cowlesi - The southwestern fence lizard
5- Sceloporus woodi - The Florida scrub lizard
6- Sceloporus magister - The desert spiny lizard
7- Sceloporus variabilis - The rosebelly lizard
8- Sceloporus poinsettii - The crevice spiny lizard
Sceloporus - spiny lizards:
1- The emerald swift or green spiny lizard (Sceloporus malachiticus)
2- Sceloporus uniformis - The yellow-backed spiny lizard
3- Sceloporus jarrovii - The Yarrow's spiny lizard
4- Sceloporus cowlesi - The southwestern fence lizard
5- Sceloporus woodi - The Florida scrub lizard
6- Sceloporus magister - The desert spiny lizard
7- Sceloporus variabilis - The rosebelly lizard
8- Sceloporus poinsettii - The crevice spiny lizard