Iguanomorpha

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Iguanomorpha
Temporal range: Early Cretaceous–Recent
Leiocephalus personatus, a species of iguanian
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Clade: Toxicofera
Clade: Iguanomorpha
Sukhanov, 1961
Suborder: Iguania
Cope, 1864
Subgroups

Iguania is an

arboreal but there are several terrestrial groups. They usually have primitive fleshy, non-prehensile tongues, although the tongue is highly modified in chameleons.[citation needed] Today they are scattered occurring in Madagascar, the Fiji and Friendly Islands and Western Hemisphere.[4]

Classification

The Iguania currently include these extant families:[5][6]

  • Clade Acrodonta
    • Family Agamidae – agamid lizards, Old World arboreal lizards
    • Family
      Chamaeleonidae
      – chameleons
  • Clade Pleurodonta – American arboreal lizards, chuckwallas, iguanas

Phylogeny

Below is a

phylogenetic analysis of Daza et al. (2012) (a morphological analysis), showing the interrelationships of extinct and living iguanians:[3]

Iguanomorpha

Hoyalacerta sanzi

Huehuecuetzpalli mixtecus

Pristiguana brasiliensis

Iguania
Chamaeleontiformes

Mimeosaurus crassus

Priscagama gobiensis

Phrynosomimus asper

Acrodonta
Iguanoidea (=Pleurodonta
)

Polrussia mongoliensis

Igua minuta

Isodontosaurus gracilis

Anchaurosaurus gilmorei

Zapsosaurus sceliphros

Saichangurvel davidsoni

Silvaiguana
Euiguana

The extinct Arretosauridae (Paleogene iguanians from Central Asia) are alternatively classified in either the Acrodonta with other Old World iguanians, or in Pleurodonta as a sister group to the Crotaphytidae.[7][8]

Conservation status

As of 2020 The

extinct and 9.2% data deficient. The major threats include agriculture, residential and commercial development.[9]

References

Further reading