Draco volans

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Draco volans

Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Agamidae
Genus: Draco
Species:
D. volans
Binomial name
Draco volans
Male

Draco volans, also

Draco, this species has the ability to glide using winglike lateral extensions of skin called patagia.[4]

The species is exclusively arboreal.[5]

Description

Draco volans grows to a length of up to 22 cm (8.7 in), including the tail. The body is tan in colour with dark flecks.[6]

The patagium of the male is tan to bright orange with dark banding. The female's patagium has irregular markings rather than banding.[6]

Habitat

This species can be found in tropical rainforests in

second growth forests, in open secondary forest, and on forest edges.[5]

Locomotion

The "wings" of D. volans are supported by its ribs, which form the skeleton of the patagia. However, its elongated ribs are superadded to aid forming its "wings", and not to assist respiration.[7]

This species is considered a passive glider, or parachutist.[8] However, previous studies have also shown that it can be considered a gliding animal.[9] This means that it doesn't have to deal with the aerodynamic and metabolic imperatives required for active flight.[10]

Behaviour

Draco volans is diurnal, and is "commonly seen running along branches, displaying, and gliding".[5]

Courtship

The colouration of the patagia and the dewlap play key roles in the courtship of D. volans, with the males stretching out and displaying their patagia and dewlaps to get the attention of the females.[4]

Diet

Draco volans feeds mainly on ants, and possibly other insects like termites.[6][3] A study was conducted in Eastern Mindanao, Philippines, which found that the species exclusively feeds on ants.[5] It hunts by waiting near a tree trunk until ants come out and crawl close to its visual field; it grabs its prey without moving itself.[3]

Reproduction

The female common flying dragon digs a hole in the soil to serve as a nest, and lays eggs in it.[4]

References

  1. . Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b Species Draco volans at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
  3. ^ a b c d Van Arsdale, Michael (1999). "Draco volans ". Animal Diversity Web.
  4. ^ a b c Crew, Bec (29 May 2014). "Flying dragon lizard a true gliding reptile". Australian Geographic.
  5. ^ a b c d Smith, Brian E. (December 1993). "Notes on a Collection of Squamate Reptiles from Eastern Mindanao, Philippine Islands Part 1: Lacertilia" (PDF). Asiatic Herpetological Research. 5: 85–95.
  6. ^ a b c Baker, Nick. "Draco volans". EcologyAsia.
  7. JSTOR 107313
    .
  8. .
  9. ^ Colbert, Edwin H. (10 March 1967). "Adaptations for Gliding in the Lizard Draco " (PDF). American Museum Novitates (2283): 1–20.
  10. S2CID 15768990
    .

Further reading

  • Boulenger GA (1885). Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum (Natural History). Second Edition. Volume I. Geckonidæ, Eublepharidæ, Uroplatidæ, Pygopodidæ, Agamidaæ. London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xii + 436 pp. + Plates I–XXXII. (Draco volans, p. 256).
  • . (Draco volans, p. 101).
  • Linnaeus C (1758). Systema naturæ per regna tria naturæ, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Tomus I. Editio Decima, Reformata. Stockholm: L. Salvius. 824 pp. (Draco volans, new species, pp. 199–200). (in Latin).