Ceratophora karu
Species of lizard
| Ceratophora karu | |
|---|---|
Conservation status | |
CITES Appendix I (CITES)[1] | |
 Critically Endangered (IUCN 3.1)[2] | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Agamidae |
| Genus: | Ceratophora |
| Species: | C. karu |
| Binomial name | |
| Ceratophora karu Pethiyagoda & Manamendra-Arachchi, 1998 | |
Ceratophora karu, also known commonly as Karu's horned lizard or Karunaratne's horn lizard,[3] is a species of lizard in the family Agamidae. The species is endemic to Sri Lanka.[4]
Etymology
The specific name, karu, is in honor of Sri Lankan zoologist G. Punchi Banda "Karu" Karunaratne (1930–1996).[4][5]
Geographic range
C. karu is known only from Morning Side Forest Reserve and three nearby unprotected localities in Sri Lanka.[2]
Habitat
The preferred natural habitat of C. karu is well-shaded forest at elevations of 1,000–1,100 metres (3,300–3,600 ft), but it has also been found in cardamom plantations with forest overstory.[2]
Description
The head of C. karu is oval, and is longer than wide.[citation needed] The rostral appendage comprises more scales than the rostral scale alone.[4] The scales are triangular, smooth or weakly keeled. The length of the rostral appendage is less than eye-nostril distance. There are prominent superciliary scales. There is a backward-pointing V-shaped ridge at the back of the forehead. The dorsal scales are larger than the scales on the flanks. The lamellae under the fourth toe number 14–17.[citation needed]
The dorsum is dark black-brown, and the flanks are brown or olive-green. Some specimens have bright orange-red patches on the supralabials. The throat and venter are buff or dirty white to yellowish-brown with small black patches.[citation needed]
Reproduction
C. karu is oviparous.[4] Two eggs are laid at a time,[2] each measuring 8.6 mm x 5.0 mm (0.34 in x 0.2 in).[citation needed]
References
- ^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
- ^ a b c d Amarasinghe A, Jayasekara D, Perera N, Karunarathna S, de Alwis Goonatilake S, Gabadage D, Botejue M (2021). "Ceratofora karu ". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T197246A123312242.en. Accessed on 09 August 2024.
- ^ "Ceratophora karu — Karu's Horned Lizard". Wild Herps. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
- ^ a b c d Ceratophora karu at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 17 January 2021.
- ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Ceratophora karu, p. 138).
Further reading
- Pethiyagoda R, Manamendra-Arachchi K (1998). "A revision of the endemic Sri Lankan agamid lizard genus Ceratophora Gray, 1835, with description of two new species". Journal of South Asian Natural History 3 (1): 1-50. (Ceratophora karu, new species).
- Somaweera R, Somaweera N (2009). Lizards of Sri Lanka: A Colour Guide with Field Keys. Frankfurt am Main, Germany: Edition Chimaira / Serpents Tale. 304 pp. ISBN 978-3899734782.
External links
- http://www.wildreach.com/reptile/Sauria/Ceratophora%20karu.php
- v
- t
- e
