Boyd's forest dragon
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (November 2021) |
Boyd's forest dragon | |
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Daintree National Park, Queensland, Australia | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Iguania |
Family: | Agamidae |
Genus: | Lophosaurus |
Species: | L. boydii
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Binomial name | |
Lophosaurus boydii (Macleay, 1884)
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Synonyms[2] | |
Boyd's forest dragon (Lophosaurus boydii) is a
Etymology
The
Geographic range and habitat
The species L. boydii is restricted to rainforests and their margins in northern
It is recorded using tree-hollows.[8]
Description
Boyd's forest dragon is generally brown or grey above, with some individuals having a green flush. The body is laterally compressed. It has very enlarged cheek scales, a prominent
Adults are sexually dimorphic, with males larger than females and having larger, blockier heads. Adult males grow to an average body length (snout-vent length) of about 160 mm (6.3 in), with the tail adding another 325 mm (12.8 in); average body length for adult females is about 140 mm (5.5 in) and tail length is about 280 mm (11 in). Average body mass for adult males is about 150 g (5.3 oz), and for females is about 100 g (3.5 oz).[citation needed]
Behavior
Boyd's forest dragon spends the majority of its time perched on the trunks of trees, usually at around head height, although daily movements can exceed 100 m (330 ft) on the ground. When approached, it will usually move around to the opposite side of the tree, keeping the trunk between it and its harasser.[9]
Unlike most other lizards, Boyd's forest dragon does not bask in the sun, instead letting its body temperature fluctuate with air temperature (thermoconforming rather than thermoregulating). The one possible exception to this general rule is gravid (pregnant) females, which are often observed sitting on or beside forest roads and exhibit elevated body temperatures.[citation needed]
Boyd's forest dragon typically commences activity at dawn and ceases activity at dusk, remaining active even when it rains. Activity is highly seasonal, all but ceasing during the cooler months, when lizards typically move into the rainforest canopy.[citation needed]
Both males and females appear to be territorial, with males defending an area of around 1,000 square metres (0.247 acre). Female territories are smaller, with male territories often containing the territories of more than one female.[citation needed]
Hatchlings, juveniles and smaller adults can often be found "sleeping" at night at the ends of tree branches with the head pointing back towards the trunk.[citation needed]
Diet
Boyd's forest dragon is a sit-and-wait predator, catching prey that it spies from its perch, although once on the ground, it will frequently move over a wider area, catching prey as it goes. Its diet consists primarily of invertebrates, with earthworms making up a relatively high proportion. Small fruits and vertebrates are also occasionally consumed.[10]
Reproduction
Reproduction in L. boydii is via
Sexual maturity is achieved in around one to two years in lowland populations but probably takes at least a year longer in upland populations.[citation needed]
Predators
Known predators of juvenile and adult Boyd's forest dragon include grey goshawks and feral pigs. Slaty-grey snakes (Stegonotus cucullatus) have also been known to eat forest dragon eggs.[11]
Parasites
Small orange mites are commonly found on the dewlap and in the groin areas of the legs of Boyd's forest dragon.[citation needed]
References
- . Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ Species Hypsilurus boydii at The Reptile Database
- .
- ^ "-saurus - Wiktionary". en.wiktionary.org. Retrieved 2016-07-12.
- ^ Ehmann, Harald (1992). Encyclopedia of Australian Animals: Reptiles. Angus and Robertson.
- ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Hypsilurus boydii, p. 36).
- ^ Nix, H.A.; Switzer, Margaret Ann (1991). Rainforest Animals: Atlas of the Vertebrates Endemic to Australia's Wet Tropics. Canberra: Kowari.
- ISBN 9780643067059.
- ^ Torr, Geordie (1997). "Forest dragons". Nature Australia. 25: 32–39.
- ^ Torr, Geordie (2003). "Here be dragons". Australian Geographic. 69: 68–77.
- doi:10.1071/zo08091.
Further reading
- Boulenger GA (1885). Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum (Natural History). Second Edition. Volume I. ... Agamidæ. London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xii + 436 pp. + Plates I-XXXII. (Gonyocephalus boydii, pp. 297–298).
- Macleay W (1884). "Notes on some Reptiles from the Herbert River, Queensland". Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 8: 432-436. (Tiaris boydii, new species, pp. 432–433).