Oplurus cyclurus

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Oplurus cyclurus
Reserve Reniala, Madagascar
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Opluridae
Genus: Oplurus
Species:
O. cyclurus
Binomial name
Oplurus cyclurus
(Merrem, 1820)
Synonyms[2]

Oplurus cyclurus, also known commonly as the Madagascar swift and Merrem's Madagascar swift, is a species of lizard in the family Opluridae. The species is endemic to Madagascar.[3] It is arboreal and mostly insectivorous. Its breeding is timed with the rainy season.

Description[edit]

Oplurus cyclurus is similar in appearance to Oplurus cuvieri; the two species may be easily confused.

Oplurus cyclurus is slightly smaller than Oplurus cuvieri. Both species have a distinctive large spiny tail, and neither has a dorsal crest. Oplurus cyclurus has a dark brown or black band around the neck and similar paler markings on its back.

Behavior, habitat, and geographic range[edit]

O. cyclurus is mostly arboreal, living in the spiny forests of southern and southwestern Madagascar.[1]

Reproduction[edit]

O. cyclurus is oviparous.[2]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Vences, M. (2011). "Oplurus cyclurus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2011: e.T172831A6926304. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T172831A6926304.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b Species Oplurus cyclurus at The Reptile Database . www.reptile-database.org.
  3. ^ Glaw, Frank; Vences, Miguel (December 2018). A Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Madagascar (3rd ed.). Cologne, Germany: Vences & Glaw Verlags. ISBN 978-3929449037.

Further reading[edit]

  • Merrem B (1820). Versuch eines Systems der Amphibien: Tentamen Systematis Amphibiorum. Marburg: J.C. Krieger. xv + 191 pp. + one plate. (Uromastyx cyclurus, new species, p. 56). (in German and Latin).
  • Savage JM (1952). "The Correct Generic Names for the Iguanid Lizards of Madagascar and the Fiji Islands". Copeia 1952 (3): 182. (Oplurus cyclurus, new combination).
  • Schlüter, Uwe (2013). Madagaskarleguane: Lebensweise, Pflege und Fortpflanzung [= Madagascar Iguanas: Habits, Care and Reproduction]. Rheinstetten: Kirschner & Seufer Verlag. 88 pp. ISBN 978-39808264-8-8. (in German).